At What’s New, What’s Next, the New York Design Center’s annual daylong event, Surya and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams hosted a panel on artificial intelligence’s growing presence in the design industry  Moderated by Business of Home executive editor Fred Nicolaus, the discussion brought together Alex Dunham of Workshop/APD, Blair Moore of Moore House Design and Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn to explore how firms of different sizes are putting the technology to work.

Dunham, whose firm employs approximately 100 people, described how AI is streamlining internal processes and communication, giving everyone on the team access to an AI assistant. As principals of smaller studios, Moore and Robertson spoke to how they’re using the technology to work more efficiently, move faster through research and sourcing stages, and support day-to-day design work.

The panelists all agreed on a key takeaway: AI isn’t replacing the designer. Instead, it’s becoming another tool in the kit—one that frees designers to devote more time to creativity, inspiration and the client experience.

According to NYDC president and CEO Jim Druckman, the panel had one of the strongest turnouts of the day, drawing an estimated 160 people. Notable attendees included Lauren Lichko of Lauren Lichko Interiors and Diana Wagenbach of Studio W.

Reflecting on the panel, Wagenbach shared: “I loved that Surya addressed the elephant in the room with AI and opened up a thoughtful conversation about how it can be used ethically as a tool to support the design community, rather than something we should turn away from. It was refreshing to hear how the panelists are embracing it while recognizing that technology will never replace the creativity, intuition and personal connection that are at the heart of great design.”