In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed the landscape of many industries, and industrial design is no exception. With AI tools becoming more sophisticated, it’s easy to see why some believe that machines might soon replace human designers. However, while AI can enhance efficiency and innovation, it is far from ready to replace the unique insights, creativity, and problem-solving skills that human designers bring to the table—especially in complex, tactile industries like retail POP, event design, exhibitions, and Visual Merchandising Store Design (VMSD). 

The Role of AI in Industrial Design 

AI tools are undoubtedly powerful. They can quickly generate design iterations, analyze large datasets, predict trends, and even assist in optimizing material use for products like Xanita board. In industries like retail and exhibitions, where time is often of the essence, AI’s speed and ability to handle large amounts of data have become invaluable. These tools can help streamline processes, from initial concepts to material selection and even in creating virtual 3D environments for event setups or retail displays. 

But despite these advancements, AI is still a tool—not a designer. 

Why AI Can’t Replace Human Designers—Yet 

• Creativity and Emotional Intuition AI is excellent at following patterns, but creativity often involves breaking them. Human designers have the ability to infuse emotion, culture, and an understanding of the consumer’s needs into their designs. Whether it’s crafting an eye-catching retail display or creating an immersive event experience, human intuition is key to understanding the “why” behind a design decision—something AI simply can’t replicate. 

• Understanding Materials and Their Potential In sectors like retail POP, VMSD, and exhibitions, materials matter. Designing with Xanita board, for example, requires a deep understanding of how the material behaves, its strengths, and its limitations. While AI might suggest the use of Xanita based on sustainability trends, only a human designer can fully appreciate how it will feel, look, and function in a real-world setting—how it can bend, fold, and surprise. 

• Problem-Solving in Real-Time A core part of industrial design is problem-solving on the fly. Whether a last-minute change in floor plans for an exhibition or adapting a retail display to fit within space constraints, human designers excel in flexibility. AI, while efficient, operates within pre-set parameters and lacks the ability to pivot when unexpected challenges arise. Human designers bring a sense of improvisation and adaptability that AI simply cannot match. 
• Collaboration and Client Relationships Designing in industrial settings is often a collaborative process. Whether it’s working alongside retailers, event planners, or fabricators, human relationships and communication are central to a successful design outcome. While AI can assist in generating ideas, it cannot manage client expectations, communicate effectively during feedback loops, or deliver nuanced solutions based on specific client preferences. Human designers bring empathy and understanding to these exchanges—an irreplaceable component in the design process. 

AI and Human Designers: A Symbiotic Future 

Rather than viewing AI as a threat, industrial designers should see it as an opportunity to enhance their work. AI can handle repetitive tasks, crunch data, and accelerate prototyping, freeing up designers to focus on the most critical parts of their job: creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. 

In the context of working with materials like Xanita board, for instance, AI can assist in optimizing design concepts to minimize waste or suggest structural alternatives. But the final product—the one that not only works but also resonates with the consumer—still needs a human touch. 

Final Thoughts: The Human Touch is Here to Stay 

While AI will undoubtedly continue to evolve, it will never replace the creativity, intuition, and human-centric problem-solving that designers bring to industrial design. For now, and in the foreseeable future, the key to great design lies in the partnership between human ingenuity and the powerful tools AI provides. 

As designers, embracing this balance will allow us to push the boundaries of innovation while ensuring that the end product—a beautifully crafted retail display, an unforgettable exhibition, or a compelling VMSD installation—still speaks to the heart of human experience. 

Below are some examples of current AI attempting to replicate human design: