by The Evolving UX Landscape: Expected and Unexpected Skills for the Future
In anticipation of the ultimate gathering of UX experts at UX360 EU in Berlin, we’ve collected the freshest insights from the event speakers to provide you with an industry update.
As UX design continues to evolve, so do the skills required to thrive in the field. While some abilities remain foundational, others are emerging as essential due to technological advancements, business needs, and evolving user expectations. We asked our expert panel for their insights on the most crucial skills every UX designer should possess. This article features Venessa Bennett (D&D), Giulia Angeletti (Nestlé), Sonja Wilczek (DigitalService GmbH des Bundes), Utkarsh Seth (Google), Elena Svergunenko (Xsolla), Lyubomir Todorakov (Paysafe), and Helen Devine (Lloyds Banking Group) to deliver the latest updates from the best in the business.
Expected UX Skills
Data Synthesis
As research tools generate more extensive datasets, the ability to extract meaningful patterns and create actionable insights is paramount.
“Spotting meaningful patterns and creating actionable insights becomes crucial,”
says Venessa Bennett, D&D. UXers must combine qualitative and quantitative data to make informed decisions that drive user-centered design. In an increasingly data-driven UX environment, proficiency in tools like Excel and an ability to cross-reference, match, and interpret data effectively are key differentiators, as highlighted by Giulia Angeletti from Nestlé. Additionally, AI-assisted research is becoming integral, allowing UXers to automate tasks and critically evaluate AI-generated insights while maintaining research rigor and minimizing bias.
Strategic Communication & Stakeholder Collaboration
Effective communication with stakeholders ensures that user needs are translated into business terms.
“User researchers and designers need to become experts in navigating conversations with different stakeholders and levels,”
notes Sonja Wilczek of DigitalService GmbH des Bundes. This is particularly crucial in large organizations and public sectors, where aligning diverse perspectives is key to creating impactful solutions. The ability to co-own the product end-to-end, as Utkarsh Seth from Google suggests, means UXers must engage in discussions about trade-offs and constraints, defending their design decisions while working collaboratively with product teams. Strong stakeholder management in UX is essential for fostering buy-in and ensuring alignment between user experience and business goals.
Less Obvious UX Skills
Systems Thinking & Business Acumen
Understanding complex organizational structures and integrating UX into broader business strategies is becoming indispensable.
“UX researchers can no longer operate in isolation from business strategy,”
explains Elena Svergunenko of Xsolla. UXers need to align their work with revenue, retention, and market trends, ensuring that research and design decisions contribute directly to business goals. This requires a fluency in both product and business metrics, as well as an ability to understand the broader market context in which a company operates. UX design trends increasingly emphasize the need for UX professionals to cultivate a deep understanding of business research and strategy to drive impactful design decisions.
Ethical Awareness & AI Bias Detection
With AI playing a larger role in research and design, UXers must critically evaluate AI-generated insights.
“AI is only as good as its training data,”
Svergunenko warns.
“UX researchers must identify bias in AI-generated findings, challenge flawed data, and advocate for ethical AI usage.”
As automation takes over repetitive tasks, the ethical implications of AI-driven decisions cannot be overlooked. Venessa Bennett also emphasizes the importance of ethical awareness in UX, particularly as AI and automation become more integrated into product development. Ensuring responsible AI in UX research is key to maintaining unbiased, user-centered design.
Adapting Research Methods to Context
Rigid research methods don’t always fit real-world constraints.
“It’s about finding ways to keep the user at the center, even when things aren’t perfect,”
Wilczek adds. UXers must be flexible, using alternative approaches such as proxy users and observational techniques when traditional methods are impractical. This is particularly relevant in highly regulated industries or public services, where direct user research may not always be feasible. The ability to apply adaptive research methods ensures continued user advocacy, even in challenging environments.
Balancing Patience with High Efficiency
The need for speed in UX processes, especially in the public sector, requires a delicate balance.
“Projects can move slowly due to bureaucracy, but we also need to keep things moving,”
Wilczek explains. Leveraging AI for automation—like transcription and data tagging—allows UXers to focus on more impactful work while keeping projects on track. In fast-paced corporate environments, knowing when to persist and when to rely on automation can make a significant difference in productivity and user impact.
Additional Emerging UX Competencies
Storytelling as a Key UX Skill
Research and design insights need to be compellingly communicated.
“Even the most well-researched insights lose impact if they are not communicated effectively,”
says Lyubomir Todorakov of Paysafe. UXers must translate complex data into narratives that resonate with stakeholders, ensuring their findings drive real change. Strong storytelling skills help bridge the gap between research and actionable design, making it easier for teams to advocate for user-centered decisions.
Holistic Thinking Across Industries
UX professionals should broaden their perspectives beyond their own industry.
“Ensuring that we have a good understanding of what is happening outside of our specific sector can offer valuable insights,”
says Helen Devine of Lloyds Banking Group. Learning from diverse industries helps UXers apply fresh, innovative approaches to their work. Rather than just copying the nearest competitor, UXers should explore cross-industry synergies that can lead to groundbreaking user experiences. Studying UX design trends across multiple sectors can inspire innovation and create more meaningful interactions.
UX will have to invest time and energy into understanding how the business works both from a management and technical perspective. To join strategic discussions, UX researchers will have to come out of their shell to know the business, the environment and the context within which work happens to really deeply know what unique value UX can provide and how that value can follow through even with constraints in place.
Technical Literacy in UX
Basic technical skills are increasingly important for UX professionals.
“While some of us may come from non-technical backgrounds, having a basic understanding of technical concepts can provide a competitive advantage,”
notes Angeletti. Familiarity with technical terminology and an understanding of the development process enhance a UX designer’s credibility and ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams. Understanding how AI in UX research functions and how UX design integrates with development cycles ensures smoother collaboration and a more effective design process.
Lyubomir Todorakov from Paysafe adds
“Moving forward, I think that UX practitioners will have to adapt their methods to keep pace with the rapid technological evolution while at the same time focus on tactical, incremental improvements rather than preaching for major paradigm shifts. Thus, the expected skills will be related to adaptability, flexibility and AI mastery.“
Final Thoughts
The role of UX is expanding beyond traditional boundaries. While core skills like data-driven UX decision-making and stakeholder collaboration remain crucial, UXers must also embrace less obvious competencies such as ethical AI practices, business research, and storytelling. As Utkarsh Seth from Google puts it, “UXers will have to build a product mindset in their day-to-day work and come out of the UX bubble.”
By developing these expected and emerging skills, UX professionals can stay relevant, drive meaningful impact, and continue to advocate for user-centered design in a rapidly changing landscape. Keeping up with UX design trends, AI-assisted research, and stakeholder management in UX will ensure a successful and future-proof UX career.
Hurry to secure your seat at the UX360 Research Summit 2025 and meet UX leaders!
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This year, the summit features 30+ industry leaders from global powerhouses such as Google, Roche, IKEA, Meta, Nestle, and many more.
Network with world-class UX professionals from around the globe. Whether you’re a researcher or designer, this event is a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead in the field. 🎟️ Snag 15% off with code BLOG15—before it’s gone!
