In a world where speed and adaptability are crucial, combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) with low-code platforms is transforming how businesses approach product design and development. At the recent Nexxt Leiria event, Mediaweb hosted a workshop, "From Idea to Solution: Fast-Tracking Prototyping with AI and Low-Code," where we showcased the power of these tools to accelerate the journey from concept to usable software.
This article explores key insights from the workshop, shares actionable advice on leveraging AI for product creation, and highlights tools you can start using today to revolutionize your workflows.
Why AI and Low-Code Are Game-Changers for Product Development
AI and low-code platforms are no longer futuristic concepts—they’re practical solutions that allow teams to work smarter, not harder. Here’s why they’re indispensable:
- Speed and Efficiency
AI tools can automate repetitive tasks like content creation, file organisation, and even code suggestions. Meanwhile, low-code platforms empower users with little to no programming experience to build functional prototypes quickly.
- Accessibility for All Skill Levels
You don’t need to be a seasoned developer to create something impactful. AI tools, when combined with low-code platforms, make the product creation process accessible to anyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
- Customised Solutions with Flexibility
There’s no single AI tool that does it all. The real magic happens when you combine tools tailored to specific tasks, creating a custom workflow that meets your unique needs.
AI tools
At the event we wanted to show how these tools were used and what a better way of doing that than using them live for the audience. For this presentation we separated these into 3 main categories:
Ideation
This first group was where ideas can be generated, enhanced and organized in order to set a solid foundation for future steps like Design and even Development. Some tools chosen were:
Chat like UI
- ChatGPT: Great overall tool, maybe the most famous and responsible for the burst of the AI technology era.
- Claude: Tool that is hailed for being the best code AI tool out there (if we don’t consider specialized tools like github copilot in vscode)
- Grok: Known for having the most updated content of this list.
- Copilot: As powerful as the other ones but you can find it in common tools like skype, edge and even some laptops have it in a specialized key.
- Notion: Not as focused on chat like features but more as an AI that will speed up workflow and organise your work. Furthermore, notion has the benefit of becoming a database if needed.
These are just some of the many out there like gemini, deepseek and many others so choose according to your goals.
Whiteboarding
- Figjam: Really similar to Miro but it is not as powerful, overall use is enough but if you are looking for extra help from AI might not be the best option..
- Miro: Possibly the most well rounded whiteboarding tool with AI integration in it.
Personally I prefer Figjam as I am used to Figma environment and in conjunction with a ideation tool like Chatgpt I can have the AI portion covered.
Visual
A set of tools that you can use to either express roughly what you want or have a close to real product look. Currently with all the AI development starting a project with Lo-Fi or Hi-Fi mockups is a choice as any of these steps can be complemented along the way because previously development time was costly but since now it's faster you can change at any time. What tools did we cover:
Lo-Fi
- UX pilot: Regarded as one of the most complete, this tool is great if you need to have multiple screens at once using only one prompt. From my point of view the Lo-Fi are decent but the Hi-Fi are pretty much the same, they don’t change that much.
- Uizard: Great tool overall and simple to use. The Hi-Fi are better looking than general UI generating softwares.
The main goal of the Lo-Fi is to test or review if the experience is optimal for the users so if that is already advanced then further steps can be taken to cut time.
Hi-Fi
- Banani: Good when converting general ideas into UI but if you need specific features it tends to not do a good job but style wise is pretty decent.
- Visily: Has a lot of options of where to start either from a existing Design, text, screenshot or even sketched one.
- Motiff: The way of using it is similar to figma so that helped but the output is good.
- Galileo AI: Personally Galileo had the best style output and text to feature than the others and it was easy to go from galileo to figma..
In this field we can’t forget that all deal with styles slightly different and it is a matter of what each person likes. Also, these can evolve with time so we might see new players doing it better or some of these be better than now. Other point that also makes sense to Lo-Fi is that we should expect common patterns in terms of UI no groundbreaking interaction is likely to come out of these softwares. Just adding that Figma and Miro also have been moving this path with Figma rolling out their AI feature where you can create, prototype and generate content faster with AI.
Code
The most exciting and relevant development of what AI will be speeding up. These tools can be used to even skip all steps of design and directly iterate the design with a chat like feature and create a full fledged app in hours/days. Here’s what we showed:
Website builder
- Webflow: powerful web design and development platform that leverages visual programming to create responsive, professional websites without extensive coding. It generates clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, making it a robust tool for integrating AI-driven features like chatbots, recommendation systems, and analytics dashboards. With its built-in CMS and hosting capabilities, Webflow streamlines the process of deploying dynamic, AI-enhanced websites efficiently.
Full Dev Tool
- Outsystems: OutSystems is a low-code development platform designed to accelerate the creation and deployment of web and mobile applications. It offers a visual development environment, seamless integration with existing systems, and built-in tools for automation, testing, and deployment. One of its latest features is Outsystems Mentor that will create complex systems with just a requirements document by using AI.
Ecommerce
- Shopify: Platform that allows individuals and businesses to create, manage, and scale online stores with ease. It offers a wide range of features, including customizable templates, integrated payment processing, inventory management, and marketing tools.
Web app builder
- Softr: No-code platform that enables users to build web applications, portals, and internal tools directly from Airtable or Google Sheets data. It offers a range of pre-designed templates, drag-and-drop customization, user authentication, and integration capabilities. With features like role-based access, workflows, and responsive design, Softr allows businesses to quickly create and deploy powerful, scalable applications without needing coding expertise.
Internal tools
- Notion: All-in-one productivity platform that combines note-taking, project management, and database functionality into a single, customizable workspace. It allows users to create and organize content, manage tasks, and collaborate seamlessly with features like templates, real-time collaboration, and integration with third-party tools. Ideal for individuals and teams, Notion adapts to various workflows, enabling efficient planning, knowledge sharing, and project execution.
- Airtable: Airtable is a cloud-based collaboration platform that combines the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of a database. It enables users to organize, track, and manage data with customizable views, rich field types, and automation features. With integrations, templates, and real-time collaboration tools, Airtable supports workflows ranging from project management to content planning, providing flexibility and scalability for teams and individuals.
Front End builder
- v0: No-code platform designed to accelerate the development of AI-powered web and mobile applications. It offers an intuitive interface for creating and managing applications, integrating advanced AI models, and connecting with APIs and databases. With features like real-time collaboration, responsive design, and automated workflows, V0 empowers users to build scalable, intelligent solutions quickly, without requiring programming expertise.
- Bolt.new: No-code platform designed to simplify the creation of internal tools and workflows. It enables users to build custom applications using a drag-and-drop interface, integrate with various data sources, and automate processes without coding. With features like real-time collaboration, responsive design, and robust integration capabilities, Bolt empowers teams to streamline operations and improve productivity efficiently.
- Lovable: No-code platform that enables users to quickly design and launch visually stunning, user-centric websites and applications. It offers an intuitive interface with customizable templates, seamless integrations, and advanced design tools to create engaging digital experiences. With its focus on simplicity and scalability, Lovable empowers individuals and teams to bring ideas to life without requiring coding expertise.
There is a lot to take in here and this is not even half of what it is out there but the objective here is to show that no matter what product you have there is a tool for your business..
It is important to mention that these were the tools that we use in our day-to-day but most importantly is that there is no right way of using them. Each end goal/project will have the best combination that will suit your needs.
Live Exercise
The primary goal of our event was to demonstrate that anyone can leverage these tools, using real-life problems from our audience to create an app tailored to their needs. While building a fully functional app within a short timeframe wasn’t feasible, we focused on showcasing the essential steps required to reach that point. With this approach, we structured the process as follows:
- Empathy
- Define
- Ideate
- Prototype
- Test
- Code (without coding)
Key Workshop Highlights
At Nexxt Leiria, participants got hands-on experience using AI tools to solve real-world problems. Here are some of the workshop’s standout moments:
Tool Showcase
We demonstrated how tools like ChatGPT, Figma, Miro, and Galileo AI can work together to move from idea to prototype in record time. Other tools like Motiff, Airtable, Bolt and Outsystems Mentor provided additional layers of functionality, proving that the right combination of tools is key.
Tackling Real Challenges
Attendees brought their own cases to the workshop, and we explored how AI could address their specific needs. From streamlining file management to helping a veterinary team scale their operations, the results were both impressive and practical.
Two Inspiring Use Cases
Organising Files with AI
Imagine having an AI system that doesn’t just search for files but organises them intelligently, grouping related documents and suggesting the best ways to access them. This is what we demonstrated during the workshop—how AI can take over mundane, time-consuming tasks, freeing up time for creativity and strategy.
Scaling Up a Veterinary Practice
We explored how AI could help a veterinary team expand their operations by automating client communications, managing inventory, and optimising scheduling. By combining AI tools with low-code platforms, we showcased how small businesses can think big and act fast.
AI Tools You Should Start Using Today
Here’s a list of the tools we used during the workshop, each with unique strengths that cater to different stages of product development:
- ChatGPT: Content creation and ideation.
- Figma: Collaborative UI/UX design.
- Miro: Visual brainstorming and flow mapping.
- UX Pilot, and UIzard: Wireframes generation.
- Galileo AI and Motiff: Automated UI inspiration/generation.
- Airtable and Bolt: Data management and low-code app creation.
Each tool serves a specific purpose, but together, they create a powerful ecosystem for turning ideas into tangible solutions.
Key Takeaways: Adopting AI in Your Workflow
Start Small
Experiment with one or two AI tools to identify where they can add the most value in your processes.
Combine Tools for Maximum Impact
Look for tools that complement each other to address multiple challenges simultaneously.
Iterate and Learn
AI tools improve over time as you refine your workflows. Be open to adapting and evolving your approach.
Why It Matters
AI and low-code are not just trends—they’re the future of product development. They empower individuals and teams to think bigger, move faster, and create smarter solutions. Whether you’re a startup founder, a seasoned designer, or simply curious about innovation, these tools can help you realise your vision more efficiently than ever before.
Interested in learning more about how AI and low-code can transform your projects? Get in touch with Mediaweb, or explore the tools mentioned in this article to start your journey today.