Hidden Technical Debt in Generative (GenUI) and Malleable User Interfaces

Malleable software can profoundly change how users interact with digital content, enabling non-experts to create their own customized tools. However, the practical adoption of GenUI systems faces several barriers, which I unpack in this paper, including a lack of adaptable data formats, “old” security protocols, and gaps in users’ cognitive and creative skills for building their own interfaces. I advocate new evaluation strategies and scientific methods to measure the impact of malleable software in user studies, document usage patterns, and ensure their practical adoption.