Adam Howell launched Accomplice in 2021—one of the first generative AI design tools, before Midjourney or DALL-E 2. Now as Principal PM for AI at Versapay, he's seen both sides: building AI tools AND integrating them into real UX workflows.

In this episode of UX Evolved, Adam breaks down what's actually different about the AI disruption versus the Web 2.0 and mobile shifts he lived through at JotSpot, Google, and InVision.

Key Insights:

• Why UX barely existed as we know it in 2005 (and what that means for AI anxiety)
• The real difference between past tech disruptions and today's AI moment
• Which UX skills have stayed valuable across 20 years of change
• Why junior UXers might be in a better spot than junior developers right now
• What AI-first UX actually looks like in practice

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction03:15 - What UX meant in 2005 (spoiler: almost nothing like today)12:30 - Building through the Google/AJAX revolution22:45 - Creating Mocksup and the prototyping tool wars31:20 - Launching one of the first AI design tools43:10 - Why this disruption feels different52:40 - Skills that survive every tech shift58:30 - What UX looks like in 5 years

About Adam Howell:Principal Product Manager for AI at Versapay | Former Google UX Designer (Gmail, Google Sites) | Co-founder of Mocksup (acquired by InVision) | Founder of Accomplice (early AI design tool)

About UX Evolved:Long-form conversations with UX veterans navigating AI transformation. New episodes monthly exploring how our profession adapts and thrives.

Every UX professional is asking the same question right now: Is AI going to evolve our craft, or replace it entirely?

I'm Eric Ellis, and I've spent twenty years designing through every major technology shift—from static wireframes to AI-powered experiences. Here's what I know: UX was never just about the tools. It's about understanding human needs and translating them into experiences that actually work.

UX Evolved brings you in-depth conversations with the veterans who've navigated disruption before. We're cutting through the AI hype to explore what really matters—how our profession adapts, what skills endure, and why human insight remains irreplaceable.

This isn't about learning the latest AI tool. It's about understanding how to thrive as technology reshapes everything we thought we knew about design.

UX is evolving, not dying. Let's figure out how together.