Edition 4: How will AI transform the designer's toolbox?

In the rapidly evolving landscape of design, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the designer's toolkit is poised to redefine creative processes and boost efficiency. This transformative partnership holds the promise of unlocking new realms of efficiency and innovation for designers. In this edition of Lighting Design Talk, we discuss how #AI becomes an intrinsic part of the designer's workflow.

1. Designers may have more time to design.

The integration of AI software in a designer's toolbox can create added bandwidth for designers to do what they do best - design! As is the case for many creative professionals, a day in the life of an architectural lighting designer isn't a purely artistic exercise. The iterative, methodical aspects of the job are a necessary and inescapable part of a lighting designer's due diligence. AI offers the exciting possibility of assisting with repetitive functions and complex analytics, introducing efficiencies that can offload project management and data-heavy tasks to create space for artistry to bloom.

Beyond the expansion of creative bandwidth, AI-powered image generators can accelerate the timeline from idea to image through rapid processing and multiple iterations to meet the desired outcome. This can be a powerful illustrative tool to share abstract ideas with clients, as well as a great starting place for tangible designs.

2. AI could enhance data-driven decision-making.

Data analysis is an essential part of the design process, and as new AI tools arise, we will continue to see the speed, accuracy, and accessibility of usable data expand. Training custom GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) models is now a feasible option for almost anyone willing to pay a subscription fee. For designers, this could mean access to a platform that understands precedents from their firm's past projects, which will minimize the need to research previously defined standards and increase the likelihood that best practices are followed.

Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, believes custom models will enable technology adaptation to grow in a positive direction.

“People competing with each other to make better and better models is awesome,” he said. “As long as we’re not competing in a way that would put safety at risk — if we’re competing for models while raising the bar around safety — I think it’s a good thing.”

As AI usage increases, human direction will play a critical role in its development. The better we understand how to interact with AI to reach a desired outcome, the more value we will bring to the spectrum of collaborative possibilities for design.

3. Designers will need to be discerning with AI usage.

New technology is often labeled as disruptive, but for the seemingly infinite capabilities of AI, that designation feels like an understatement. Until our governing bodies or industry leaders come to a consensus regarding parameters for AI usage, designers will need to be mindful of client sensitivities and project restrictions on a case-by-case basis. Careful management of confidential materials will remain a priority for our firm as we implement and continuously refine internal policies to ensure their safekeeping. With these guardrails in place, we can explore the leading edge of this new frontier in good faith, catering our processes to all levels of comfortability while eagerly engaging with the advent of AI in design.

"As a firm, we are consistently monitoring the worldwide development of AI technologies to understand first, what is available, and second, what will benefit our team and clients the most." - Erik Stroemberg , HLB BIM Manager, AI Task-force Leader