NUS CS3249
User Interface Development

The New Version of CS3249 Launches in Semester 1, 2025! 

Course Website URL: https://cs3249.ai4sg.org

CS3249 redefines user interface development by focusing on the rapidly evolving field of Conversational User Interfaces (CUI). As we witness the transformation of human-computer interaction through Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI-powered systems, this course prepares students to design, implement, and critically evaluate the conversational interfaces that are reshaping how we interact with technology.

This comprehensive 13-week journey takes students from foundational concepts to cutting-edge implementations, combining theoretical frameworks with hands-on development experience. Students will master the art and science of conversation design, explore the integration of LLMs, build multimodal and multi-agent systems, and grapple with the ethical implications of anthropomorphic AI.

Unlike traditional UI courses focused on graphical interfaces, CS3249 positions conversation as the primary interaction paradigm, preparing students for a future where natural language becomes the dominant interface between humans and machines.

Aims

This course aims to:

1. Establish Theoretical Foundations: Ground students in communication theory, conversational analysis, and design principles that underpin effective human-AI dialogue systems.

2. Develop Technical Competence: Build practical skills in implementing conversational interfaces using modern frameworks, APIs, and LLMs.

3. Foster Critical Thinking: Cultivate the ability to critically evaluate conversational systems through both technical testing and user-centered evaluation methodologies.

4. Promote Responsible Innovation: Instill awareness of ethical considerations, bias mitigation, and the social implications of deploying conversational AI systems.

5. Enable Creative Problem-Solving: Empower students to design innovative conversational solutions for real-world challenges across diverse domains including healthcare, education, and enterprise applications.

6. Bridge Research and Practice: Connect cutting-edge research in conversational AI with practical implementation skills needed in industry.

Structure

The course is organized into four main modules:

Module 1: Foundations of CUI

Students establish core knowledge in conversational interface history, taxonomy, and design principles. This phase grounds students in communication theory and information architecture specific to conversational systems.

Module 2: Technical Implementation of CUI

The technical core introduces LLMs, multimodal interaction, and multi-agent architectures. Students progress from understanding LLM integration to building sophisticated conversational agents with memory, planning, and tool-use capabilities.

Module 3: Evaluation and Testing of CUI

Students learn comprehensive evaluation methodologies, from system-level testing to user studies. This phase emphasizes both technical robustness and user experience validation.

Module 4: Ethics and Future Directions

The course concludes with critical examination of responsible AI practices, addressing bias, privacy, anthropomorphism, and agency. Students explore emerging trends and speculative futures for conversational interfaces.