Is AI Saving Us or Screwing Us? Let's discuss
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The Elephant in the Room: AI, Ethics, and the Future of Interior Design
Hey there, fellow designers! I’m Jenna Gaidusek here. After a whirlwind of events, from moderating at IWCE to speaking at ASID Expo, one conversation keeps coming up: How do we use AI ethically — without compromising the integrity of our work or industry? A comment from a recent panel really stuck with me: “Let’s just put the elephant in the room.” So that’s exactly what we’re doing — having an honest, unfiltered conversation about AI, its role in design, and the values we need to protect as we move forward.
AI Is a Tool — Not a Threat
Let’s get one thing clear: AI is not here to replace interior designers.
I’ve said this from the beginning, and I’ll continue to stand by it. AI is a tool — a powerful one — but it’s just that. It’s here to assist us, streamline certain parts of our workflow, and help us operate more efficiently. But it cannot replace the depth of knowledge, creativity, or intuition that experienced designers bring to the table.
Before I ever taught AI, I spent years working with it behind the scenes — experimenting, researching, and learning. Why? Because I believe in fully understanding a tool, including its risks, before recommending it to anyone else. Yes, AI can generate concepts, accelerate content creation, and improve communication, but it can also be misused if we’re not intentional about how we apply it.
And that’s where ethics come in.
My Own AI Ethics: Where I Draw the Line
I often say:
Just because we can do something with AI doesn’t mean we should.
Over time, I’ve developed my own set of non-negotiables — guidelines that help me use AI responsibly in my design practice and content creation:
I do not use other designers’ work as input for AI-generated visuals or prompts.
I avoid copy-pasting AI-generated content directly into blogs, proposals, or websites without revisions.
I always review, rewrite, and infuse content with my own voice and design perspective.
I prefer tools like Perplexity AI that cite sources and encourage thoughtful research.
We have to remember: these tools are only as good as the person using them. AI can be fast, but it can’t replace your creative instincts, your design training, or your unique point of view. That’s where the real value lies — and always will.
Navigating Pushback — And Why We Should Lean In
I hear the concerns. I really do. Some of the most common ones are:
“Isn’t this taking away from creatives?”
“How can you promote AI when it could be damaging the design process?”
“Won’t clients just start using these tools themselves?”
These are fair, valid questions. And they deserve thoughtful answers — not just marketing spin.
That’s why I’ve embedded ethical standards into every course, panel, and training I lead. I don’t believe in blindly adopting technology. I believe in using it with purpose — and creating a framework where designers can lead the conversation instead of reacting to it.
We’re in the middle of a massive cultural and technological shift. AI is already changing how we work, think, communicate, and collaborate. The design world needs strong, informed voices — professionals who are willing to engage with this shift rather than shy away from it.
Let’s Talk About the Environmental Impact
There’s another layer to this conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough: AI’s environmental footprint.
Training and running large AI models requires a significant amount of computing power, which means a high demand for energy. This isn’t something we can gloss over. But there is progress happening. Tech leaders like NVIDIA are developing more efficient, on-device chips that reduce energy use and allow AI to run offline — a step toward more sustainable innovation.
As design professionals who already prioritize sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and energy-conscious design, this is a conversation we should absolutely be part of.
Real-World AI at High Point Market
To give you a tangible example of what ethical, intentional AI use can look like in our industry — let me take you behind the scenes at AI Day at High Point Market.
We hosted a full-day immersive workshop, pairing AI tools with real-world design applications. Together, we:
Created custom, American-made upholstery collections
Generated product descriptions and optimized them for SEO
Built out 3D models and AR visualizations
Captured product photography — and enhanced it using AI tools
It was an incredible day, not because of the tools themselves, but because of how the designers used them. AI didn’t take over the creative process — it amplified it. It supported craftsmanship, storytelling, and innovation in ways that saved time without sacrificing vision.
This, to me, is where AI shines: not as a shortcut, but as a smart, flexible collaborator.
Thinking Beyond Business — AI and the Next Generation
On a more personal note, this topic hits close to home.
My daughter is only eight, and she can already recognize AI-generated content. She’ll say things like, “Mom, that doesn’t sound like a real person wrote it,” and I’m both proud and a little unsettled. Kids today are growing up in a world where AI is everywhere — often invisible, but ever-present.
This shift doesn’t just affect our work. It’s shaping how our children learn, communicate, and think. We need to advocate for better tools, more transparency, and educational resources that help families and schools navigate this new terrain.
What We Can Control
The pace of AI innovation is fast — and we can’t control that. But we can control how we respond. And that’s powerful.
Here’s what we do have influence over:
How we use AI tools in our business and design process
How we educate ourselves and stay informed
How we talk about AI with our peers, our teams, and our clients
The kind of innovation we support (and the kind we push back on)
Personally, I want to be part of the solution. I want to champion thoughtful, ethical adoption of AI in our industry — and I hope you do, too.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t on the horizon — it’s already here. And it’s already reshaping the interior design industry in real, measurable ways.
The question isn’t if AI will impact your practice — it already is. The real question is: How are you going to respond?
My hope is that you respond with curiosity, courage, and clarity. That you lean into leadership, not fear. And that you recognize the value you bring — your talent, your ethics, your vision — as something that no tool, no matter how smart, can replicate.
I’ll continue to show up and share tools, trends, and honest conversations — even the uncomfortable ones. Because this isn’t about chasing the latest thing. It’s about shaping the future of our industry, together.
Until next time,
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.
