1. Introduction

The rapid advancement and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in recent times have substantially influenced different industries, including the field of design. AI offers various advantages for design practice, such as streamlining tasks, making design more accessible to a broader audience, and fostering more significant levels of creativity and innovation (Stige et al., 2023). A wealth of literature and articles discussing the benefits of integrating AI into design is available, creating this narrative that paints a rosy picture of the future of design practice.

However, using AI in the design field has generated various responses from professionals. While some fervently support the integration of AI, pointing to its ability to enhance human capacities and optimise design workflows, others have reservations due to concerns about the consequences of excessive dependence on technology. Critics contend that unquestioningly embracing AI technologies could potentially undermine the fundamental human attributes of creativity, which are integral to the essence of design (Huang et al., 2018), and that AI can hinder human creativity by constraining our imaginative capabilities and possibly resulting in a period of limited progress for humanity (Gurkaynak et al., 2016). Whilst AI has the potential to revolutionise the design process, it is crucial to approach its implementation broad scale with caution.

It is critical to explore the repercussions of incorporating artificial intelligence into design processes as they go beyond just immediate operational benefits or creative improvements; they also impact the fundamental principles of design as both a field and a career. There is a valid worry that the widespread use of AI could decrease the importance of crucial human-centred aspects of design, such as empathetic comprehension and contextual evaluation. This potential change requires a thorough assessment of the possible adverse effects on the industry, leading to inquiries about the direction of design practices and the involvement of designers in an AI-enhanced environment. The design industry needs a diverse, skilled, and AI-proficient workforce to effectively implement human-centred AI and promote a culture that prioritises technology ethics while addressing the risks related to AI systems (Barmer et al., 2021). Addressing these issues is essential to guarantee that the development of design practice continues to be rooted in human values and creativity, even as it adopts the revolutionary capabilities of AI.

2. Background

Advancements in artificial intelligence technology have significantly influenced various fields, including design. Deep learning and other AI techniques have empowered designers to automate repetitive tasks, produce original solutions, and evaluate intricate data sets more effectively and precisely. The incorporation of AI into the design process has not only boosted efficiency but also unveiled fresh opportunities for imaginative thinking and creativity (Tomašev et al., 2020). Designers can delegate mundane tasks to AI, shifting their attention towards creative problem-solving and idea generation.

AI has various applications in design, with the generation of images and text being particularly noteworthy. AI-powered technologies have enabled designers to produce intricate and lifelike visuals with minimal human involvement. These features enhance the content creation process and facilitate the exploration of new styles and concepts that may have been out of reach with conventional approaches alone. Text-to-image AI models can significantly benefit designers by assisting with initial design ideas and enabling quick exploration and collaboration (Kulkarni et al., 2023; Zhang et al., 2023). Many visual artists have opposed these emerging tools; however, AI can transform the design field and augment creative potential.

Similarly, AI has significantly impacted user experience design, offering UX designers tools to expedite and improve their work. Using AI algorithms to analyse user data and feedback enables designers to gain a more profound comprehension of user behaviours and preferences (Choudhury, 2022), which allows them to create user interfaces that are more intuitive and user-friendly. That enhances the user's experience and promotes the development of more personalised and adaptable digital products and services (Amershi et al., 2019). While AI tools that generate these designs are not flawless and still rely on human designers to refine and contribute their creative ideas, they offer an essential initial stage and source of inspiration during the creative process.

3. Theory

The utilisation of artificial intelligence in different industries, such as design, has generated a variety of divisive viewpoints. While AI has made significant advancements in efficiency and innovation, there are still concerns about its implications in the creative process. In the context of design, this debate is particularly vibrant, reflecting the tension between the potential of AI to augment human creativity and the risks associated with its widespread adoption. AI can benefit humanity, but it is essential to carefully contemplate and tackle potential risks and adverse effects (Russell, 2022). The use of artificial intelligence in design offers potential benefits as well as difficulties, and it is vital to approach them with careful consideration. In the context of this paper, we use the term “design” as a way of thinking, a decision-making process that takes place in the mind (Simon, 1996), a cognitive activity that involves imagination, intuition, and rational thinking (Lawson, 2010). Whilst AI is also affecting design as a profession and practice, we will not discuss it here, as our focus is in the internal process of design, rather than the external.

Advocates for AI in design assert that it enriches the creative process by offering designers potent resources to produce original concepts, streamline repetitive duties, and scrutinise intricate data sets, consequently extending the limits of human creativity. AI can serve as a helper, partner, investigator, or enabler for designers, offering assistance in different stages of the design process and opening up fresh possibilities for professionals to produce improved outcomes (Xu, 2023). AI-powered design tools have the potential to provide fresh insights and solutions that may not be readily evident to human designers, enabling a more experimental and inventive method of designing. This viewpoint indicates that by serving as a supplementary tool, AI has the potential to contribute to more varied and enhanced design results, thereby expanding the boundaries of creative pursuits.

On the other hand, critics of AI in design express reservations regarding the quality of AI-generated results, copyright concerns, and innate biases within AI algorithms that may uphold current social disparities (Huang et al., 2023). AI's potential to diminish the core of human creativity by generating homogenised or derivative content is a notable worry (Amer, 2023). Additionally, dependence on AI tools may lessen the value placed on human skills that have historically been central to the design process. These difficulties underscore the significance of taking a well-rounded approach to AI in design, integrating the abilities of human creativity and AI synergistically while prioritising ethical considerations in technological implementation (Huang & Rust, 2018). Failure to tackle these issues could lead to the design industry losing its human-centred approach and becoming dependent on AI algorithms that may not possess the same level of nuanced understanding and creativity as human designers.

4. Discussion

Given the implications deliberated earlier, there is a rising worry that the widespread use of artificial intelligence in the design field might significantly change or even entirely dismantle traditional design methods. The essence of design, which is deeply rooted in human creativity, intuition, and emotional intelligence (Silva, 2022), stands at risk of being overshadowed by the efficiency and scalability offered by AI technologies. With the advancement of technology, we are falling more and more into "solutionism”, gathering ever more data and refining algorithms to help solve our problems. However, by overlooking the complexities of human life, we are ignoring the root causes of those problems, which are usually social and political (Morozov, 2014). In the words of Postman (1993), the lack of a balanced and reflective approach to technological advancement has placed us in a "technopoly”, leading to the devaluation of human experiences and critical thinking. AI holds the potential for exceptional levels of productivity and creativity but also poses a risk to the fundamental principles of design as a discipline focused on human needs.

AI's widespread use in design raises the potential for creative output, with pre-made visuals and template-based designs becoming increasingly common (Zhang et al., 2021). As stated by Arielli et. al. (2022), AI tools do not generate styles that are entirely new, instead they are instances of what we might call computational mannerism. This tendency can potentially hinder creativity and variety in design, as the detailed comprehension and contextual awareness that human designers contribute to their work may be overlooked in preference for efficiency and scalability. The distinctive cultural, social, and emotional aspects designers incorporate into their designs could be compromised when AI algorithms are involved.

Yet, it is imperative that we point out that in reality, AI is just Human-Supervised machine learning (Manovich et. al., 2017), and the AI systems are not inherently intelligent, but collections of data that can perpetuate biases and inequalities (O’Neil, 2016), or in Floridi’s words (2023), a new form of agency, not of intelligence, that requires semantic engines (like humans) to do the job, namely, human-based computation. The term "Artificial Intelligence" is often misinterpreted and should not be confined to the concept of human-like intelligence. Instead, AI should be viewed as an engineering discipline aimed at creating systems that enhance human capabilities (Jordan, 2019). Therefore, it may be suitable to use Flusser’s (2000) concept of the apparatus, a combination of hardware, software, and human operators, functioning based on a pre-determined program, that simulate human thinking through efficient combinatory operations, leading to reliance on them for complex cognitive tasks. Perhaps, if individuals perceive AI as an apparatus rather than an intelligent being, they may make more informed decisions about its use in their design processes or when considering substituting their cognitive activities with AI.

AI's function in design goes beyond being just a tool; it can impact user behaviour and shape societal standards. AI differs from traditional tools that simply extend human capabilities, as it can independently produce content, make decisions, and develop through interactions (Partadiredja et al., 2020). This concept is not novel, as Rheingold (2000) explores how tools, from ancient writing systems to modern computers, have expanded human cognitive capabilities, altering how we think, solve problems, and understand the world, resulting in the change of culture at large. This idea is also congruent with Flusser’s argumentation on gestures (2014), meaningful actions that reveal the intentions and cultural context of the individual, and how technology, especially digital media, influences and transforms these gestures. Nevertheless, we shall remember that, following Floridi’s concept (2014), the digital is a third-order technology, suggesting it can cause great changes in our understanding of identity, agency, and reality. Therefore, taking into consideration all these factors, we should think about AI as more than just a helper in the design process but rather as an influential force that can shape design trends, norms, and expectations. 

Another important worry is that deep learning systems operate as black boxes, meaning their internal decision-making processes are not transparent or understandable to humans (Manovich et. al., 2017). This opacity raises significant concerns about the trustworthiness of AI systems (Von Eschenbach, 2021). Some people argue that XAI (Explainable AI) holds significant promise for making AI systems more transparent and trustworthy. Nonetheless, it is not yet available for most users due to technical complexity, domain-specific applications, and the need for more accessible tools and interfaces (Yang et. al., 2023). Whilst the research and development in this area are ongoing, most tools available to the general public are still operating with opaque training and operations.

The potential consequences of integrating AI into design are far-reaching, with the possibility of diminishing the cognitive and conceptual aspects of design. It is important to remember that humans treat machines as humans (Nass et. al., 2000), which is an evolutionary predisposition to attribute human-like qualities to other entities including AI, the same psychological tendencies that lead us to anthropomorphize animals (Darling, 2021). As AI systems become increasingly capable of undertaking complex design tasks, there is a risk that the human designer's role is reduced to that of a curator or editor of AI-generated options, if we continue to believe that AI is a fellow designer, instead of just an apparatus. This change can potentially diminish the depth of conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that are fundamental to the field of design, potentially reducing designers' significance within the creative process. 

To reduce those potential dangers and uphold the authenticity of design as a discipline focused on human needs, it is crucial to encourage a mutually beneficial connection between designers and AI. Educating designers about AI's ethical and responsible utilisation is essential, highlighting the significance of human supervision and portraying AI as a partner rather than a replacement for human intellect (Vanhée et al., 2022). By adopting this approach, the design community can leverage AI to augment human capability, enrich the design process, and explore new frontiers of creativity while safeguarding the essential human qualities that define the essence of design.

5. Implications

Preserving the authenticity and advancement of design in the era of artificial intelligence requires extensive incorporation of various subjects into design learning. These topics should extend beyond traditional design principles and techniques to include ethics, bias, visual stereotypes, limitations, and the implications of AI in creative processes (Borenstein et al., 2021). Understanding these intricate matters is crucial for aspiring designers to overcome the obstacles and possibilities brought about by AI. Incorporating these topics into design courses can prepare upcoming designers with the analytical thinking abilities and moral consciousness required to utilise AI responsibly and creatively, guaranteeing that design continues to prioritise human needs and cultural sensitivity.

Current designers must also continuously engage in lifelong learning and remain adaptable by consistently enhancing their skill set, including mastering AI in their daily work. Ongoing education in this field should prioritise the perception of AI as a tool that enriches the design process rather than as a substitute for the designer's innate creativity and input (Figoli, 2022). By doing so, designers can leverage AI to augment their capabilities, achieve greater efficiency, and explore new creative possibilities.

The question of whether education can save the future of design in the AI era is complex. Education, both formal and informal, plays a crucial role in ensuring the future of design by promoting an in-depth comprehension of AI's potential and restrictions, ethical concerns, and the significance of incorporating human-centred approaches. This will contribute to maintaining innovation, empathy, and ethical accountability within the discipline. The achievement of this initiative will also rely on the design community's openness to adopt change, educational institutions' dedication to revising their curricula, and individuals’ willingness to stop treating AI as a human designer, rather than an enhancer of our own intellectual capabilities.

6. Conclusions

If the design community continues to unconditionally accept outputs generated by AI tools without critical evaluation, under the pretext of "garbage in, garbage out," the integrity and future of design as a profession is at risk. The acceptance of subpar AI-generated content undermines the value of human creativity and expertise and perpetuates a cycle of mediocrity that could dilute the richness and diversity inherent in human-led design processes. It is imperative that we begin treating AI as an apparatus, rather than a colleague, focusing on using these tools to improve instead of detracting from the quality of design work.

This discussion serves as a theoretical examination and highlights the necessity for additional empirical investigation to tackle the difficulties and possibilities brought about by AI in design. As part of a continuous doctoral research project, we aim to create a thorough framework for guiding present and future designers in AI's ethical and effective utilisation. At the moment, an inicial survey was done, and the results will be published in the future, as well as the subsequent interviews we will be held in order to have a better understanding of how current designers and artists are using AI as an enhancer, rather than a replacement for their creative process. The goal is not just to reduce the possible hazards linked with AI in the design internal process, but also to unleash the complete capabilities of this technology in enhancing human creativity. This involves ensuring that AI acts as a partner in the creative procedure rather than a replacement for human inventiveness.

Acknowledgements

The study was supported by UNIDCOM under a grant from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) No. UIDB/00711/2020 attributed to UNIDCOM – Unidade de Investigação em Design e Comunicação, Lisbon, Portugal. The research project is funded by FCT with reference no. 2023.02281.BD.