Artificial Intelligence
Signals
Plain English
Clues that tell you what’s happening or what to do next.
Definition
Signals are glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term points or triggers that indicate changes in glossaryUser BehaviourUser behaviour refers to how users interact with a product, including actions, patterns, and decision-making processes.Open glossary term, glossaryContextContext is the set of surrounding conditions that shape how someone behaves and decides, including their goal, their environment, their time pressure, and what happened immediately before. The same action can mean different things in different contexts.Open glossary term, or external factors.
In practice
Used to drive glossaryAutomationAutomation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention.Open glossary term, personalisation, or decision-making glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term.
In context
They are only useful with a threshold attached. A signal nobody has decided how to act on is a metric that gets watched and never changes anything.
The reality
Signals are only useful if they are accurate, relevant, and actionable.
Compared with
Signals vs Insight
A signal is an glossaryObservationObservation is a research method where user behaviour is watched and analysed without interference.Open glossary term that something has changed. An glossaryInsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term explains why and what to do about it. Dashboards are full of signals; insight is the work of interpreting them.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What are signals in UX or AI systems?
They are glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term points that trigger actions or glossaryInsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term.
Why are signals important?
They help glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term respond to real-world changes.
What makes a good signal?
It is accurate, relevant, and actionable.
What is a common issue with signals?
Using noisy or unreliable glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term.
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