Dave Feldman explores essential principles of AI product design, emphasizing the importance of user control. He draws on his experience with Tiptap Flex, an AI-driven writing app, to illustrate how users should feel empowered rather than sidelined by AI features. According to Feldman, maintaining a sense of control is key. Users want to know that the technology is supporting them without overstepping boundaries. He cites past experiences with Google Inbox, where users responded negatively to features that made decisions without their oversight. Feldman introduces the principle of "preserving user voice," which he highlights as crucial for Flex. Users’ writing should reflect their unique style and intent, ensuring that AI suggestions enhance rather than overwrite their contributions. He discusses Flex's "Ideas Panel," which offers suggestions to improve writing. While the option to implement these suggestions with a click may seem helpful, it risks undermining user control. Feldman plans to mitigate this by evaluating AI-generated suggestions before allowing users to act on them, reinforcing user agency in the writing process. The tension between automation and user control presents a challenge in AI design. Feldman acknowledges that while AI aims to simplify tasks, it can also lead to unpredictability and user frustration. Balancing these competing goals is central to creating a functional product. The article sets the stage for further exploration of principles that guide AI product design, emphasizing that understanding user needs and capabilities is vital to successful implementation.