NUS CS3249
User Interface Development

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

Welcome to CS3249. This course 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.

Credits & Workload

• CS3249 is a 4 Modular Credit course. 

• Anticipate ~10 hours/week of commitment, including 2 hours of lectures, 1 hour of tutorial, and self-study time. 

• The workload involves individual assignments and critiques, a group project and presentations.