SPACE LUMENS : LIGHTING DESIGN CONSULTANCY

Technology enhances the design process, but can it truly replace it? This question arises often when discussing AI’s role in design. My stance is that as long as infrastructure development remains human-centric rather than tech-centric, AI cannot replace human expertise. Generating countless ideas is one thing, but crafting those ideas into something usable and human-friendly is entirely different. AI might offer solutions for an empty space, but only human input can tailor those solutions to meet a client’s unique perspective.

Software advancements like CAD have streamlined the creation of layouts, yet, as traditional experts might argue, they’ve also confined our creativity to geometric shapes like boxes and circles. Only recently have more freeform designs made a resurgence. Similarly, AI can generate concepts that seem thematically sound, but on closer inspection, those themes often lack specificity and are quite generic. AI draws inspiration from the vast resources we’ve already provided, much like someone in Asia might feel they have seen Europe based on a few hundred photos or other way round. There are still many areas where AI lacks a connection to ground reality and the human touch.

We certainly anticipate improvements in AI, but until then, it serves more as a tool generator or a concept Kickstarter in design thinking, still requiring specialized human expertise to bring ideas to meaningful realization. For now, I phrase it as “To err is to AI; to forgive and improve is to human”. After all, it’s our keywords, resources, and guidance that will ultimately enhance this powerful tool at our disposal. There are certainly other useful aspects to AI like simplifying work flow, put together data or similar features where it aids human performance. To develop it as a tool complementing the design process is the key. AI is still in developing stages, I will be certainly happy & open to change my view of these tools over its evolving scenarios. Let’s see what the future holds for us. What are your thoughts & experience in embracing AI in your work routine?