Interface Is Everything, And Everything Is An Interface

In today’s digital landscape, the way humans interact with technology has become paramount. Interfaces are no longer just screens or buttons—they represent the entire bridge between human intent and technological execution. Ryan recently sat down with Wesley Yu, head of engineering at Metalab, to discuss the evolution of interfaces, the stresses of creating dynamic user experiences, and the surprising parallels between cutting-edge artificial intelligence and traditional CRUD apps.

The Evolution of Interfaces in Technology

Interfaces have continuously transformed as technology advances. Early interfaces were rudimentary, limited to command lines or static forms. As user expectations grew, the complexity and responsiveness of interfaces evolved, enabling more interactive and immersive experiences.

Wesley Yu highlights that every technological interaction can be considered an interface—from graphical user interfaces, voice assistants, to emerging augmented reality systems. Understanding this fundamental principle helps developers anticipate user needs and craft more intuitive systems.

Challenges of Generating UI on the Fly

One of the modern pressures facing engineers is the demand to generate user interfaces dynamically in real-time. Such on-the-fly UI generation requires backend systems to be extraordinarily flexible and scalable, as they must supply not only data but also the structure and logic defining the interface.

According to Wesley, this generates significant backend load and complexity. The system must ensure seamless integration between rapidly created UI components and the underlying data services without sacrificing performance or user experience.

Artificial Intelligence: The Latest, Fanciest CRUD App

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are often seen as revolutionary leaps forward. Yet, Wesley Yu draws an intriguing comparison: AI is essentially a sophisticated continuation in a series of CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) applications that have long been the backbone of software systems.

While AI introduces advanced data processing and learning capabilities, at its core, it manipulates data states—input, modify, and produce output—which aligns closely with CRUD principles. Recognizing AI in this light demystifies the technology and encourages developers to leverage their existing experience when building AI-driven applications.

The Future of Interfaces and Backend Systems

Looking ahead, the fusion of innovative interfaces and robust backend architecture will be critical. As interfaces continue to diversify and personalize, backend systems must evolve to support agility, scalability, and resilience. The integration of AI and adaptive UI generation will define the next era of user experiences.

By embracing the concept that "everything is an interface," developers and product teams can better navigate the complex technology landscape and deliver solutions that truly resonate with users.