AI models like ChatGPT and Gemini have only been around for a few years. While many have grown dependent on them, we still remember life before their existence.

But what about future generations? For them, these tools will always have been a part of daily life. Just as I can recall a time without smartphones, my teenage daughter cannot. She was born after the iPhone’s rise. Touchscreens and app stores are all she knows.

I believe AI’s long-term impact will surpass that of smartphones. We already see the technology infiltrating industries and education. Who knows where we’ll be by 2030?

Many worry that AI will replace us at work and spread falsehoods. Those concerns are valid. However, I’m starting to worry about another issue: the devaluing of human creativity.

Creative industries like design will bear the brunt of the impact. Here’s why the next generation of designers will inherit a different world.

Artists Already Face Competition From Generative Tools

Generative models have improved their image-creating capabilities. Write a prompt, and within a minute, you’ll have an image matching your instructions. The process will only get faster.

The results aren’t always perfect. For example, I find ChatGPT’s model inconsistent (and sometimes incoherent) with styling. But, after a few revisions, I often accept the output as good enough.

I now choose AI-generated images over stale stock photography. It’s accessible and often a closer match to my needs. That’s both astonishing and a bit sad.

Yes, it takes less time to get a “passable” image. I don’t have to worry about the details in Photoshop. Nor do I have to hire someone more talented to do it for me. In short, I’m willing to accept a lower-quality item because it’s easier.

I admit to being on the low end of the market. My graphic design skills aren’t the best, and I don’t have a budget for a professional. My turning to AI tools probably isn’t putting anyone out of work.

The danger is when companies that do have a budget for hiring professionals opt for AI. We’re already seeing that happen (to mixed results). More will surely join the trend.

AI image generators are competing with human artists

Will New Designers Learn the Fundamentals? Will It Matter?

Traditionally, web and print designers learn about fundamentals. Philosophies regarding color, typography, and accessibility are crucial to producing quality work. Those lessons come from formal education and real-world experience.

But what do fundamentals mean in the age of AI? Quality control is not a strength of the current tools on the market. So, someone starting in design and using one of these apps may never learn.

We’re seeing a similar trend in programming. For example, the ease of generating code has led to a

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