From GPTs to AGI: What’s Next?
Listen to the Podcast Episode for a deeper dive
From Siloed Tools to Seamless Systems: What Agentic AI Means for Interior Designers
Hey there, fellow designers! I’m Jenna Gaidusek here. After a few weeks on the road—speaking at conferences, reconnecting with fellow creatives, and stepping back from my daily AI routines—I returned to what felt like a completely new landscape.
That’s how fast things are moving in the world of artificial intelligence. We’re not just talking about new tools anymore—we’re seeing a shift in how AI works, how we interact with it, and how it could completely change the way we design, manage projects, and communicate with clients.
If your current workflow feels like a patchwork of tools and tech hacks, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: we’re entering a new phase of AI that promises to bring it all together—and make it feel a lot more intuitive.
Let’s talk about what’s changing—and why it matters for interior designers.
Where We Are Now: Great Tools, Disconnected Systems
Right now, most designers are working with a handful of powerful, but disconnected tools:
ChatGPT for ideation and content writing
Custom GPTs for onboarding and client communications
Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, or Visual Electric for concept visuals
Zapier, Make, and Lindy for workflow automation
These tools are impressive. But getting them to work together? That’s where things fall apart.
We’re still manually moving files, formatting documents, double-checking automations, and troubleshooting systems that break without warning. It works—but it’s far from seamless.
What’s Next: Agentic AI Is Here
Now imagine this:
You walk into a client meeting. An AI assistant listens in, picks up on details like “coastal kitchen” and “natural wood cabinetry,” and begins pulling relevant visual ideas in real time. By the time you wrap the meeting, it’s already building your sourcing list, generating a proposal using your pricing structure, and formatting it all into your branded presentation layout.
No prompts. No clicking around. No friction.
This is the future we’re moving toward with Agentic AI—and based on recent conversations I’ve had with folks at Google and other tech leaders, it’s arriving much sooner than you might think.
What Is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI is a new form of artificial intelligence that acts more like a smart teammate than a passive tool.
Instead of waiting for commands, Agentic AI:
Understands the end goal
Breaks down complex tasks into manageable steps
Chooses the right tools to complete those steps
Takes action independently
Reviews and improves its output before handing it back
Many of us are already seeing glimpses of this with GPT-powered onboarding, automated email follow-ups, or even AI phone systems that sound natural and conversational.
Now imagine applying that kind of intelligent automation to the parts of your business that currently eat up your time and energy—think presentations, spec sheets, client check-ins, or vendor communications.
What About AGI?
Agentic AI is one step in a much bigger evolution. The next leap? AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence.
AGI goes beyond task automation. It’s about AI that can think and adapt like a human across a wide range of contexts.
For example, give it a grocery list and it can:
Find relevant recipes
Generate a weekly meal plan
Build an Instacart order
Organize everything for checkout
We’re already seeing this play out in everyday tools, and that same level of end-to-end support is heading into the creative and business spaces soon.
What This Means for Interior Designers
Here’s where it gets really relevant to your business.
The rise of Agentic AI doesn’t mean replacing designers—it means eliminating the digital busywork so you can focus on what you do best: design thinking, client strategy, and creative vision.
Picture an AI assistant that can:
Learn your preferred vendors, palettes, and design styles
Create branded mood boards and visual concepts
Auto-format spec sheets and proposals
Write emails and responses in your voice and tone
Manage sourcing and pricing updates without your input
You’re still the decision-maker. But all the time-consuming logistics? They’re handled.
Let’s Talk About Trust
Of course, none of this works without thoughtful implementation.
As these tools become more capable, issues around privacy, data security, and ethical use must remain front and center—especially in an industry that deals with high-end clients, proprietary information, and personal preferences.
Platforms like Google’s upcoming Agent Space are promising secure, encrypted systems, but we won’t know how reliable they are until they’re tested at scale.
That’s why last week’s podcast episode focused entirely on ethical AI in design. It’s a conversation we need to keep having—early and often.
We’re the First Generation to Navigate This
Let’s take a step back and acknowledge something big:
We are the first generation of interior designers working hand-in-hand with AI at this level.
There’s no roadmap. No standard operating procedures. We’re building the future of design tech in real time—and it’s both exciting and a little intimidating.
The best way forward?
Stay curious
Keep experimenting
Share what’s working
Stay grounded in your values as a creative
If we stay connected, we can help shape these tools to support—not replace—what matters most in our work.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If you’re feeling curious, excited, or even overwhelmed by what’s ahead—you’re not alone.
This post is here to help you name the shifts happening around us, so we can navigate them together with more clarity and confidence.
If you have thoughts or questions:
Leave a comment below
Send me a DM on Instagram
Or check out the full podcast discussion on YouTube
And if you’ll be at Design Hounds in Chicago, May 7–8, I’ll be speaking more about the future of AI in design—and how to lead creatively in a tech-driven world.
Until then, stay informed, stay inspired, and keep designing with intention.
Jenna Gaidusek
CEO, AI for Interior Designers™️
Disclaimer: This blog was written using AI as a recap from the recording then edited by the author for accuracy and details.
