Hi, I’m Amber

I’m a UX leader focused on AI and machine learning, with a background in everything from wearables to developer tools. I have a deep belief in building technology that feels human.

I’ve spent the last two decades designing systems for people who build systems — from early-stage experiments in agencies to working on global platforms like Twitter, Firebase and now ML at Google Cloud. What I’ve learned is this: the tools we make, including in the intersection of AI shape the people who use them. And right now, we’re building faster than we’re asking the right questions.

I started this Substack as a way to write through the complexity. To share the questions that don’t always fit in a product brief. To share what it’s really like to lead design inside machine learning teams. And to explore how we keep the work human, even as the tech outpaces our frameworks.

You’ll find me writing about:

• How the role of design is shifting in AI-first products — from interface thinking to system-level influence. (Explored in “Vibe Design”)

• What it takes to lead design when the map keeps changing — and how to balance speed, vision, and clarity. (Reflected in “AI 2027 Got It Half Right”)

• How to grow your design career in complex orgs — and what makes a portfolio actually stand out. (Shared in “Your Portfolio Is the Trailer”)

• Designing with clarity, care, and ethics in systems that learn and act on our behalf. (More on that in “Not Every Agent Should Talk”)

I care about usability, but I also care about pace, process, and how decisions get made. I care about building a future where AI works alongside us as a collaborator, not a replacement. The best technology respects the intelligence of its users and the complexity of being human.

This space is for designers, engineers, leaders, and anyone trying to build something thoughtful in a noisy, fast-moving world.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this Substack are my own, and not that of my employer. I value diverse perspectives and encourage open and friendly dialogue.

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