As AI reshapes how products are built, shipped, and scaled, the role of UX Research has never been more critical. Speed is higher, ambiguity is higher, and the cost of getting decisions wrong is higher than ever. In this session, Priyanka demystifies what UX Research really looks like today - and what it takes to break into the field with confidence in an AI-driven product landscape.

Drawing on her experience leading mixed-methods research at Microsoft and working closely with product, design, engineering, and data science teams, Priyanka will share how UXR functions as a strategic discipline - one that de-risks product decisions, grounds teams in real user needs, and directly shapes product strategy, roadmaps, and execution. She’ll also unpack how research fits into real-world product-making, especially in fast-moving AI environments where something can “work” technically but still fail users.

You’ll learn how to:

Understand UX Research as a strategic function that helps teams prioritize the right problems, define success, and make confident product bets.
See what day-to-day UXR collaboration really looks like, and how researchers partner with PMs, designers, and engineers to turn insights into shipped outcomes.
Learn how UX Research plugs into the AI build loop end-to-end - from what to build, to how to build it, to how to evaluate quality, trust, safety, and AI performance.
Upskill for AI as a UX Researcher, including what you need to understand about AI and how to use AI in your research workflow without losing rigor.
Walk away with a clear, beginner-friendly path to breaking into UXR today - what to learn, what to practice, and how to package your work to pursue roles with confidence.
Expect a practical, grounded session filled with real-world examples, clear frameworks, and actionable guidance - especially valuable for aspiring UX Researchers, career switchers, and early-career professionals navigating AI-powered product teams.