Steering Blind Algorithms: Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on the Role of Designers

Recent advancements in AI, particularly those focused on replicating creativity, have sparked ongoing discussions about their impact on the role of designers. This paper presents the findings from qualitative interviews with 17 design professionals focused on strategic design work, exploring their perceptions and experiences with AI tools, as well as their views on how their roles may evolve in the future. The results highlight the diverse ways in which designers are leveraging AI in their work as well as the resulting impact on their roles, emphasizing the continued significance of expert human designers in steering development toward meaningful outcomes. The findings underscore the continued importance of contextual awareness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and human-centered design in crafting meaningful solutions, and highlight the role of relational expertise in design that manifests through interactions.