Why I No Longer Fear AI (as much)

I’ll be honest­—as a designer, AI has always been a little unsettling. Exciting possibilities to be sure, but also deep ramifications for the entire creative field.

The democratization of design tools has made it simple for anyone to create polished, professional-looking content. But that’s also a problem—when anyone can design, everything starts to look the same. In a sea of slick templates and algorithm-approved aesthetics, nothing truly stands out.

And that’s an opportunity for strategic designers. There’s a big difference between generating good-looking content and designing with intent—work that actually connects. That takes an understanding of not only why something looks good, but why it matters.

AI can give you a hundred iterations in seconds, but it can’t tell you which one solves the problem. Designers bring strategy—turning business challenges into clear, compelling stories that engage real people. That’s the human part that (so far) can’t be replicated: judgment, taste, and meaning.

As it turns out, AI helps me explore more and do tasks faster— so I can get to what I do best. I don’t think AI is here for my job. I think it’s here to make it better.