Designing AI-Driven Solutions to Enhance Motivation: Tactics for Product and Technology Innovators

We’ve all been there: “I don’t have time for that now.” “I’ll do it tomorrow.” These phrases are as common as morning coffee, and they often lead to disappointing ourselves when our plans fall through. This lack of motivation is a real hurdle, but by designing with motivational mechanisms in mind, we can help people break through these mental barriers, change their habits, and achieve their goals. Let’s explore four effective tactics to fuel motivation for consumers.

Make It Competitive

Nothing stirs motivation like a bit of friendly competition. Whether you’re comparing your results with strangers or going head-to-head with friends, the drive to come out on top is a powerful force. Platforms like Peloton and Zwift have mastered the art of making fitness competitive. For instance, you can compete live and directly with other bikers online, check segment leaderboards that show the best times for specific segments, and earn route badges for completing certain routes.

Zwift ride showing competition vs other riders and data about the route (Zwift, n.d.)

These competitive elements keep users engaged and motivated, encouraging them to stay active and strive for more. Both Peloton and Zwift have also begun integrating AI solutions, such as AI-powered trainers and endurance coaching, pushing users to perform better and compete more successfully.

Make It a Goal

Setting goals is a fantastic way to catalyze behavior change. They should be ambitious yet achievable. The joy of hitting a goal is a huge motivator to keep pushing towards the next one. Whether it’s getting fit, mastering a new skill, or personal growth, it all starts with setting that initial target. AI-powered goal-tracking apps like Dreamfora help you do just this, transforming aspirations into personalized actionable strategies. The app logs your activities, tracks your progress, and aligns them with the habits you’re trying to build. To keep the motivation flowing, the app sends daily reminders, and offers community support.

Make It Rewarding

People love seeing progress. It's one of the main factors that keep them chasing their goals. That sense of achievement makes the end goal seem within reach. For instance, running a 5K can seem daunting, but adding an extra kilometer to your run every week can be incredibly motivating. AI-powered wellness apps often incorporate points, badges, and other rewards to keep users engaged and striving for the next level. These gamification elements are everywhere these days, encouraging productivity, motivating workouts, and even promoting mindfulness.

Make It Fun

Gamification adds a fun element to the user experience and can motivate users to achieve their goals. Focus Quest found a unique way to combine productivity with gamification elements. Users set timers for focused work sessions, and during these sessions, their in-game character trains, upgrades equipment, and fights monsters. This setup encourages users to stay off their phones and focus on tasks, turning productivity into an adventure.

Dos and Don’ts for Fuel Motivation

🎮 Consider gamification to engage and motivate users. They can be a real game-changer for the user experience.

🎉 Encourage users to keep going if they’re regularly hitting their targets; suggest setting more achievable goals if they’re not.

😇 Don’t overcomplicate things. Developing new habits is tough enough. Make sure your product is simple and easy to use. A user-friendly interface is key, and a dash of humor can go a long way.

🔕 Do be mindful of nudges and notifications. They should motivate, not annoy.

By integrating these motivation tactics into your design process, you can help users overcome those mental hurdles, adopt new habits, and achieve their goals. Remember, a little friendly competition, clear goals, rewarding progress, and a touch of fun can make a world of difference.

This article is is part of a series of 24 articles sharing practical, actionable tips on how to design tech products that people don't just use, but love. The articles build on the world’s leading design methods for designing successful tech products, as described in the book “Design Things that Make Sense”. Visit www.designthingsthatmakesense.com to learn more or download the free toolkit.