We recently connected with Weiting Gao and have shared our conversation below.

Weiting, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

It’s hard to decide on the “most” innovative thing, but I’d love to share a recent creative work I did. Besty.ai is one of my recent design projects, which was just awarded the 2024 Muse Design Awards. It is a conversational AI mobile app that offers accessible, comprehensive sex education to adolescents (particularly girls), providing a safe space for teenagers to ask questions about sensitive topics such as sexual and reproductive health, puberty, and relationships.

The inspiration for this project comes from my personal experience. During my upbringing, I experienced period stigma, body-image shame, and a lot of uncertainties related to puberty. When I started talking to more women about their experiences, I realized that these struggles are widespread during adolescence. Adolescents need guidance, support, and accurate information on puberty and sex education. I collaborated with my partner Mingcheng Guo on this design, and our aim is to empower adolescents to navigate puberty confidently and with pride.

The innovative part of this project is how we fostered trustworthy human-technology interactions through human-centric methods. To build connections and trust with users, we designed a customizable conversational AI character that evolves with users and addresses their questions at every stage of their pubertal growth. Trained on reliable datasets, the AI character not only provides accurate and unbiased information but also acts as a compassionate companion, helping users navigate complex feelings in their adolescence and advocate for their well-being.

In my opinion, emerging technologies such as large-language-model-based conversational AI should be used in a way that satisfies human needs. This is where designers can play a critical role in innovating how humans interact with technologies.

Weiting, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Weiting, a user experience designer working in the tech industry. My focus has been on leveraging design thinking to make a social impact and using technology in a good way to satisfy human needs. That’s also why I got into the design industry—to “change the world.”

I have conducted scholarly research on co-creation with AI and human trust issues within human-AI interactions. While working at Amazon, I dedicated myself to improving sustainability in delivery and fulfillment services. In the tech industry, people are often excited about technological breakthroughs and can sometimes overlook the human touch. I strive to remind everyone of the values for users and humankind when leveraging technologies in products and services. What sets me apart is my commitment to integrating empathy and ethical considerations into the design process, ensuring that technological advancements truly benefit people.

I am most proud of my work that combines innovation with social responsibility, creating solutions that not only advance technology but also enhance the human experience. My work is driven by a passion for making a positive difference through thoughtful and human-centric design.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I’ve been working on a project for a NFT start-up recently. My view on NFTs is that they represent a fascinating intersection of technology, art, and commerce, bringing significant innovation to the digital landscape. In the tech industry, NFTs leverage blockchain technology to create unique digital assets, ensuring provenance and ownership authenticity. This has opened up new avenues for digital artists and creators to monetize their work in ways that were previously impossible.

From a design perspective, NFTs challenge traditional notions of art and ownership, encouraging designers to explore new mediums and forms of expression. They also foster a closer connection between creators and their audiences, as collectors can directly support artists. NFTs hold great potential for revolutionizing the digital art and design world, but it’s also important to approach this innovation with a mindful consideration of its broader implications.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a designer and creative is the ability to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives through my work. Whether it’s designing user experiences that simplify complex tasks, creating visuals that inspire and evoke emotion, or solving real-world problems with innovative solutions, the sense of fulfillment comes from knowing that my creativity can bring about positive change. Additionally, the continuous learning and growth that come with exploring new ideas and pushing creative boundaries keep me passionate and motivated in my craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weitinggao.com
• Instagram: https://ohwait.design
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weitinggao/