Design careers in the Age of AI: specialize or generalize?

The author explores the potential for a professional identity crisis among digital product designers due to advancements in AI and LLMs. The rise of AI tools is making generalist skills more relevant, potentially leading to superficiality and reduced innovation. The author contrasts this with the historical trend of hyper-specialization in design, which created communication barriers. The author worries about designers relying solely on AI to produce outputs without deepening their own understanding of the various design disciplines. The reliance on AI can lead to homogenized solutions reflecting global averages rather than innovation. The author advocates for using AI to enhance learning and collaboration within specific specializations, not replace them. The focus should be on using AI to deepen understanding and facilitate communication. The author uses personal reflections, drawing on the ideas of Edgar Morin, to frame the discussion. The text emphasizes the importance of a professional identity rooted in cognitive and symbolic construction. Ultimately, the author believes the key lies in how designers choose to integrate AI into their work and learning.