With AI-driven tools advancing rapidly, architects and designers are experiencing a profound shift in how they work and create. To explore this evolution, our team joined industry experts at AIA Silicon Valley’s ai.24 Symposium, for a panel discussion led by Ashley Greenwald addr the integration of AI in the field and its impact on professional practices.
The practice of architecture and design practice has evolved from traditional analog methods to include digital tools like cloud technology and machine learning, each innovation enhancing precision and efficiency. Now, AI is redefining design processes, making them more intuitive and streamlining tasks. One example, background removal in Photoshop, once a multi-step process, is now just a couple of clicks away. Additionally, AI can help simplify complex design decisions and bridge language barriers, giving non-native English speakers greater access to design education.
But AI also presents challenges. Professor Kalantar raised concerns about the potential decline in foundational skills and critical thinking, as over-reliance on AI might lead to superficial knowledge. There's also the risk of AI prioritizing efficiency over cultural sensitivity, which can result in designs that inadvertently reinforce dominant cultures and overlook diversity.
To balance these opportunities and risks, integrating AI later in education might allow students to build traditional skills first and then enhance them with technology. For today’s designers, it’s essential to identify what drives our work—such as environmental impact—and to use AI to support those values, positioning ourselves as AI-Enabled Designers.
For small firms, AI can be a game changer. Tools like UpCode, which streamlines building code searches, and Midjourney, which generates mood boards, help these firms save time and take on more or bigger projects. However, as clients begin creating their own visual concepts using AI, the role of designers is shifting from ideation to execution. This means designers are increasingly tasked with refining client-generated ideas into functional, budget-conscious designs.
Despite these tools, the human element remains vital in the design process. While AI can enhance efficiency, architects and designers are essential for interpreting client needs and preserving the project’s core vision. As routine tasks like rendering become automated, keeping clients engaged requires an emphasis on human connection and personalized insight.
Generative AI is opening new frontiers for creative exploration. Much like the art of photography, where the more images you take, the better your chances of capturing something extraordinary, AI offers a vast world of inspiration. Imagine using AI as a time machine, exploring endless design possibilities and gaining fresh insights.
For Chris Gardner, the key to AI-driven creativity is to approach it as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement. When AI is guided by artistic vision, it becomes a powerful partner, combining human creativity with technical prowess for rich artistic exploration.
As AI becomes integral to design, it brings challenges like cultural bias, fragmented knowledge, and ethical questions around AI-generated work. Architects and designers can lead with professional integration of human insight and ethical responsibility into AI-driven processes.
The next generation of architects and designers will shape the future of built spaces by engaging thoughtfully with AI. By actively providing feedback to AI developers and utilizing AI in innovative ways, professionals can ensure that the future of architecture and design is more inclusive, imaginative, and deeply human.
*all images created with AI