IDEO builds interactive font map using artificial intelligence

DB: from a technical standpoint, how did AI help build the interface? KH: the main visualization -- the map of over 750 fonts in one two-dimensional plane -- would not have been possible without AI. DB: what did you find most challenging about working on the project? KH: when it comes to technology-driven explorations such as this one, one of the core challenges is to balance letting the technology speak for itself with creative license to make design decisions that may obscure the technology, but lead to a better experience. DB: what surprising things did you learn about machine learning algorithms in the process?