The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Loosely defined as computer systems performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, AI is developing so fast that within the next 20 years, and according to Geoffrey Hilton, a pioneer on machine learning and neural network algorithms, we’re going to develop AI systems that are smarter than people. Similarly, the historian Yuval Harari, in writing on AI (Nexus, 2024) warns that we have now created a non-conscious but very powerful alien intelligence that, if mishandled, can extinguish the human domination on earth. Tim Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web inventor, is concerned about the impact of big tech and digital media and holds that social manipulation, lack of transparency and surveillance with AI technology could, and should be countered by establishing effective safeguards. Yet while the risk of loss of human influences through algorithms needs to be taken seriously, there are limitations to AI compared to Human Intelligence in terms of creativity, intuition and adaptability let alone ethical and moral values. And so while AI is a powerful tool and an increasingly viable alternative in many areas, design ideation included, it is not yet a complete substitute for human intelligence. Positively, then, AI and human intelligence can complement each other, leveraging the strengths of both to achieve more through collaboration than either alone. That is, together, humans and AI are greater/better/more than the sum of its parts.

AI and human imagination

Artificial intelligence, AI, is increasingly having an impact on the design process, ideation included. Traditional ideation tools such as freehand sketches and sketch modelling have become integrated with computer software. As a result, technology marks a transformative shift in design practice where its integration with digital processes means machines collaborate with designers to generate data-driven ideas and solutions. Yet drawing by hand remains a tool for designers to capture and communicate ideas, as in "thinking with a pencil". Moreover, the immediacy of freehand drawing may encourage constructive in-person discussions with clients and stakeholders. Drawing also help expand designer knowledge of how things work, how things work together and helps to explore alternatives. Drawing by hand, however, is skill-based and needs practising. It is more time-consuming than software supported drawing and poses revision challenges and limited precision. But growing reliance on digital tools, AI included might reduce designers own unique style obscuring the deeply human aspects of design. And so the question remains: 'Will the rise of AI reduce designer capacity for originality and innovation, or will it serve as a catalyst for pushing the boundaries of creativity and expression?