Information foraging theory is the best explanation of how people behave in information-rich environments, from the original web to today’s AI chatbots. Users act like animals hunting for food: they follow information scent, exploit information patches, and pick an information diet that maximizes value gained per second spent.

Graph-based UI for AI is better than linear chat for design tasks | Storytelling improves with a keyframing UI | With a better history UI, clients reused a designer’s past alternatives 2.6× as often as they generated new material | Fast wins make users stay | Mental models: the map in the user’s head always wins | Users hold only 2 mental models of AI: tool or coworker | Sticky navigation gives users a firm foundation but consumes pixels

New tech capabilities create the opportunity for people to do new things | Breadcrumbs | Use ChatGPT image mode to create viral thumbnails | Startup companies increasingly being driven by AI | Enterprise AI | Changing from design thinking to design doing

Users follow scents of relevance. Navigation becomes intuitive. Content discoverable. Experience enhanced.