Is A.I. Coming For Our Design Jobs? I Don't Know So I asked Dr. Seuss!

Is Artificial Intelligence coming to take our design jobs? I don't know so I asked Dr. Seuss

I had some “scary” fun this week doing a little research into AI image generation. I confronted my fears that AI was coming to take my job, dictated my scattered and thoughts into a purposely incoherent document, then asked ChatGPT to "rewrite the text as the narrative for a 1-minute video that was punchy and provocative while maintaining an overall tone of positivity and excitement for the future.” 

Then things got really fun! Each ChatGPT spat out an answer, I asked it to regenerate the answer in the voice of several famous architects—and one VERY famous children’s author. Start at the top and see what develops!

(PS—The curious among you can see the original draft I fed into ChatGPT at the bottom of this newsletter. Enjoy!

ChatGPT version 1:

Are robots going to steal the jobs of architects and designers? Well, it's not as simple as that. It turns out that AI-generated images are a lot like the early days of photorealistic rendering, when only the fresh-faced graduates could master the new technology. Now, anyone can generate an image, but it takes imagination and experience to prompt AI to create something truly meaningful. And even then, the images can be a bit warped and incoherent. But that's what makes them so exciting! AI-generated images are the perfect sketchbook extension, inspiring architects to approach their designs from new angles and consider fresh ideas they might not have thought of otherwise. So don't fear the robots, embrace them as a source of inspiration and become the architect who creates the imaginative prompts that AI depends on.

Me: Now rewrite your initial response in the bold, imaginative and optimistic style of Bjarke Ingels

ChatGPT version 2:

 Welcome to the exciting world of architecture, where artificial intelligence and image generation are bringing us new opportunities to create mind-bending designs beyond our wildest dreams! When we first consider the idea of AI and image generation taking over the jobs of architects and designers, it may seem like a daunting prospect, but fear not! As I delved into the state of the art of image generation, I was filled with a sense of excitement and wonder.

You see, AI and image generation are akin to the early days of photorealistic rendering. In those days, older practitioners struggled to adapt to the new technology, while young graduates were experts in the field. This resulted in a shift of power from the older architects to the younger generation, who were able to produce stunning designs using the new 3D rendering software. The same is true for AI and image generation. With the right prompts, anyone can generate an image, but it takes experience and imagination to produce a meaningful and useful image.

While AI-generated images may appear warped and incoherent at first glance, they offer us an incredible opportunity to explore our imaginations and push our creative boundaries beyond what we thought was possible. Rather than being fearful of AI, we should embrace it as the most powerful sketchbook extension imaginable, allowing us to work from both the inside out and the outside in, resulting in fresh architectural designs that we could never have achieved using traditional methods alone.

So let us not be afraid of the future, but instead, let us embrace the infinite possibilities that AI and image generation bring to our field. With this new tool at our disposal, we have the power to create designs that are truly innovative and transformative. So, my fellow architects and designers, let us harness the power of AI to inspire and create, and together, let us shape a bold and exciting future for architecture.

Me: Now rewrite the above in the style of architect Jeanne Gang

ChatGPT version 3:

 The potential impact of artificial intelligence and image generation on architecture and design is a fascinating topic. While some may fear the displacement of architects and designers, I see an opportunity for us to expand our creativity and embrace new tools to shape the built environment.

At Studio Gang, we have always been interested in exploring the relationship between nature and the built environment, and the possibilities presented by AI-generated images are no exception. By providing new and unexpected visual prompts, we can better understand the impact of our designs on their surroundings and create more responsive architecture that is in harmony with nature.

Moreover, the integration of AI-generated images can help us push the boundaries of our creativity and challenge the status quo of traditional architectural workflows. By working with the technology, rather than against it, we can unlock new forms and functions that would have been impossible to conceive before.

But let's not forget the importance of human expertise and experience in this process. While AI can generate stunning and imaginative images, it is up to us as architects and designers to interpret and apply them in a way that is meaningful and impactful. By combining our intuition and expertise with the power of AI, we can create designs that are both beautiful and functional, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

In conclusion, I believe that AI and image generation are exciting tools that can help us explore new frontiers in architecture and design. By embracing the technology and integrating it into our workflows, we can create more responsive and sustainable designs that are in harmony with the natural world. Let's work together to harness the power of AI and shape a better future for all.

Me: Now rewrite the above in the style of architect Philip Johnson

ChatGPT version 4:

 My dear colleague, while I appreciate your musings on the topic of artificial intelligence and image generation, I must say that your worries are unfounded. You see, it is not a matter of whether or not AI will take our jobs as architects, but rather a matter of how we can utilize this new technology to further enhance our craft. We must always be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking, and AI presents a unique opportunity for us to explore uncharted territory and push the boundaries of what is possible in architecture.

I understand that some may fear the unknown, but we must not be afraid of change. As architects, it is our duty to constantly evolve and adapt to new technologies and ways of thinking. We must not be held back by the past, but rather use it as a foundation upon which to build something greater.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that AI-generated images are not simply smudgy sketches or a mere extension of our sketchbooks. They represent a new frontier in architecture, where we can explore the endless possibilities of form, space, and function. They allow us to push the boundaries of our imagination and challenge the conventional notions of what constitutes good design.

So, my dear colleague, I implore you to embrace the potential of AI and all that it has to offer. Let us not shy away from this new technology, but rather embrace it with open arms and use it as a tool to create something truly extraordinary.

Me: Now rewrite the above in the style of the architecture firm SHoP

ChatGPT version 5:

AI and image generation are disrupting the field of architecture, and we couldn't be more thrilled! At SHoP, we believe that innovation and technology are key to unlocking new possibilities in design. With AI, we now have access to a powerful tool that can help us push beyond the limits of traditional design methods.

Sure, there may be concerns about AI taking over the jobs of architects and designers, but we see it as an opportunity to work in new ways and tap into our creativity in unprecedented ways. With AI, we can explore new ideas and possibilities, and use technology to enhance our design process.

But it's not just about the technology. We also recognize the importance of experience and expertise in shaping the output of AI. We know that it takes a certain level of imagination and skill to provide the right prompts for the technology to generate truly meaningful and useful images.

At the end of the day, we see AI as a powerful tool that can help us spark our imaginations and unlock new possibilities in design. It's not a threat, but rather an opportunity to think differently and push beyond the boundaries of what's possible. At SHoP, we're excited to embrace this new era of design, and can't wait to see what the future holds!

Me: Now rewrite the above in the style of the children’s author Dr. Seuss.

ChatGPT version 6: 

Oh, the places we'll go in architecture, my friends,

Where AI and image generation bring new bends,

Creating designs beyond our wildest dreams,

A world of wonder and excitement it seems!

At first, we may fear the prospect of change,

But let's not worry, it's not so strange,

Like photorealistic rendering in its early days,

Shifts in power come and go in many ways.

With the right prompts, anyone can make art,

But true imagination sets designs apart,

AI-generated images may seem a bit queer,

But they open doors to what we once held dear.

So don't fear the future, let's embrace it instead,

And let AI be our sketchbook extension to be led,

Pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers,

Together, let's shape the future of architecture, my dears!

Me: And finally, thank the people who have subscribed to either the iPad for Architects YouTube channel or opted in to attend the free iPad for Architects Procreate Weekend Workshop for taking the time to read this weeks edition of the "Less Isn't Always More" Newsletter

ChatGPT:

To all the incredible individuals who have subscribed to the iPad for Architects YouTube channel or signed up for our free iPad for Architects Procreate Weekend Workshop, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks. Your unwavering support and enthusiasm are what inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible with technology in architecture.

We hope that you found this week's edition of the "Less Isn't Always More" Newsletter to be as informative and exciting as we did. We believe that the future of architecture is bright, and with the help of tools like the iPad and Procreate, we can continue to create stunning and innovative designs that are both functional and beautiful.

So, once again, thank you for being a part of the iPad for Architects community, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you.

(PS—My original draft here:

So is artificial intelligence and image generation coming for the jobs of all us architects and designers? To be honest, I don't really know, but I can tell you this I am a lot less worried than I was two days ago, when I first began researching the state of the art of image generation, and the reason is as follows: it turns out that AIA is a lot like Photo the early days of photorealistic rendering, when no older practitioners had the time or patience to figure out how to do it, but every new architecture school graduate was more or less an expert. That meant that older designers had to stand and look over the shoulders as they directed, the newly graduated, architects with what to do as they built the older architects designs in the new 3-D rendering software. That this intermediated, oh, big word warning, that this intermediated the power of the older architects and put a new power in the hands of the young people who had mastered the software, but did not yet have experience is architects that would ensure that there are 3-D creations were actually buildable in the real world. And image generation by way of artificial intelligence strikes me as much the same. In other words, anyone anyone can prompt playground AI or mid journey to create an image, but it takes experience and a certain level of imagination and articulation to give AIA the right prompts to generate a meaningful image. And not only that, but those images, although they look stunning, and appear to be genuinely imaginative, when you. Look closely, the AI images are slightly warped, warped, and look like there was a nearby nuclear explosion, so they are really no different than Luz, smudgy sketches you might have done with a pencil or pen on a cocktail napkin. But hold on, this is exactly why I love them! That's why I believe the real role that AI image generation will have is to help spark our imaginations beyond. What we may be able to do our cells, but as such it will give good architects, and experienced architects, new ideas about how to work their designs from the outside in. In other words, AI becomes the most powerful sketchbook extension. You can imagine, and although very few of its ideas are useful right out of the box. You can they are very useful as a means of inspiring ideas into an experienced art. Architect. Specifically, they will allow an experience designer to not only work from the inside out, but to also work from the outside in, using these surprising images to inspire ideas for new plans and new functional adjacencies that result in a fresh architectural design that might not have evolved. Out of the organic pre-AI workflow that we've all developed up to this point in history. So, in summary, in conclusion, I believe the right response to AI is not to be afraid that it will take our jobs, but to be super excited that you have just discovered the greatest source of inspiration since ingesting mushrooms. So use AI to inspire ideas you never would have thought of, then work from the outside. In to give your plan, concepts, fresh new insights and exciting new relationships. In other words, don't be afraid of AI, embrace it, so that you can become the person who creates the imaginative and powerful prompts that AI depends on.)

Psst. Sometimes it's good to read to the end. We had a successful course launch, but a lot of people asked if they could buy just one course instead of a bundle of ALL the courses. So here's the deal: Click here to browse all our courses, and if one is right for you, use the code LESSISMORE to take 33% off any course or bundle we offer. Offer expires this Sunday night at 12midnight PST. That's 33% off every course or bundle we offer until Sunday midnight PST. I'll see you in class!