Will AI replace designers, or will designers who embrace AI replace those who don’t?

The line between human creativity and machine-generated art just got blurrier. When Pentagram — one of the most iconic design firms in the world — announced it used AI (Midjourney) to generate 1,500 icons for Performance.gov, it wasn't just a design decision. It was a wake-up call for the entire creative industry.

The backlash was fierce. Designers saw it as a warning that their jobs were at risk. But others saw something else — an opportunity to adapt and evolve.

So, here’s the big question: Will AI take over design jobs, or will it simply change them?

In this deep dive, we’ll explore:

• The roles AI is most likely to replace (and the ones that are safe).
• The rise of new creative roles and how designers can stay ahead.
• The ethical gray zones of AI training on human-created art.
• How designers can future-proof their careers in an AI-driven world.

🧠 AI as a Tool, Not a Threat (But Not for Everyone)

Many of the fears about AI stem from one idea: replacement.

But let’s get real. AI isn’t here to replace all creative jobs — at least not yet. Instead, it’s reshaping how we work, just like Photoshop did in the '90s. Back then, designers had to learn how to use digital tools to stay relevant. Now, designers are being asked to do the same with AI.

Here’s the difference, though: This time, AI is doing more than just “helping” — it’s generating content all on its own.

“AI won’t replace designers — but designers who embrace AI will replace those who don’t.”

This shift means that the role of a designer is changing from "creator" to curator, strategist, and decision-maker. Instead of designing every element from scratch, designers may soon be selecting, guiding, and refining AI-generated assets.

⚠️ What Jobs Are at Risk of Being Replaced by AI?

Not all design jobs are at risk. The reality is, AI is better at repetitive, production-level work — but creative strategy, conceptual design, and human emotion? Not so much.

Here’s a breakdown of the types of creative jobs most (and least) at risk.

🟢 Jobs That Are Safer (For Now)

These jobs require human intuition, conceptual thinking, and creative strategy. AI can generate options, but it can’t "think big" or develop brand concepts.

1. Creative Directors — No AI can lead an entire brand strategy (yet).
2. UX/UI Designers — Empathy-driven experiences are still a human domain.
3. Brand Strategists — Creating and maintaining brand identity requires more than pixels.
4. Art Directors — Overseeing the creative vision of a project still requires human taste.
5. Visual Identity Designers — Branding is about more than just logos — it’s about brand story, tone, and meaning.

🔴 Jobs That Are at Risk

These roles are at risk because they rely on repetitive production tasks — tasks that AI excels at.

1. Icon & Stock Illustration Designers — Midjourney can generate thousands of icons faster than a human ever could.
2. Social Media Graphics Designers — AI tools can auto-generate templates for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube in seconds.
3. Basic Layout Designers — Tools like Canva and AI design apps are making simple layouts easier for non-designers.
4. Product Mockup Designers — Product visuals (like T-shirt mockups) are being automated by AI tools like Placeit.
5. Entry-Level Production Designers — If your job is to “make edits” and “resize assets,” AI tools are coming for you.

🚀 New Roles Emerging From the AI Shift

Just like the rise of social media gave birth to Social Media Managers, the rise of AI is giving birth to brand-new creative roles. If you’re wondering how to stay relevant in an AI-driven design world, you might want to consider these future roles:

1. AI Design Curator

AI can generate 100s of design options, but not all of them are great. Curators will act as the filter, sorting through AI-generated concepts and refining the best ideas into final deliverables.

2. Generative Design Specialist

AI can create images, but someone still needs to know how to craft the perfect prompts. Prompt engineering is already becoming a niche skill as designers learn how to “talk to AI” to get better results.

3. AI Art Ethicist

With so much concern about how AI is trained, brands will need ethical guidance. These experts will ensure AI-generated assets follow legal and moral standards.

4. Creative Automation Specialist

Brands will need people who can automate design workflows using AI tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, and Adobe Firefly.

🎨 The Ethical Gray Zone: Can AI Be Trained on Human Art?

One of the most controversial aspects of AI in design is how these models are trained.

The Problem: AI models like Midjourney are trained on vast libraries of online images — but did those artists ever give permission for their work to be used? No, they didn’t.

“These AIs are built on the backs of artists without their consent.”

This issue is so hot that companies like Adobe Firefly are trying to solve it by only using licensed images to train their models. But other platforms, like Stability AI, are still facing lawsuits.

The Solution? Regulation is coming. Many believe that in the future, AI companies will have to:

• Disclose training datasets (so we know where the images are coming from).
• Compensate artists whose work was used to train AI.
• Allow artists to “opt out” of having their work used in AI training.

📍 Final Takeaway: What Should Designers Do?

AI isn’t the future — it’s the present. It’s already here. The choice for designers is simple: Adapt, upskill, or be left behind.

Here’s how you can stay ahead of the curve:

1. Learn to use AI tools (like Midjourney, Firefly, and DALL-E) to stay relevant.
2. Master “prompt engineering” — Knowing how to ask AI for what you want is a skill in itself.
3. Focus on strategy, not production — Creative strategy and brand storytelling still require humans.
4. Specialize in roles that require human taste — Jobs like Creative Director, Brand Strategist, and Visual Identity Designer are still safe.

The rise of AI is not the end of design — but it is the end of "business as usual."

The next five years will be critical. Companies will have to balance the power of AI with the ethical responsibility to protect artists. Designers will need to shift from “makers” to “curators” — guiding AI to create powerful, original work.

But here’s the good news: The demand for creativity will never go away. The tools may change, but the need for human insight, taste, and storytelling will always be there.

“AI can generate, but only humans can create meaning.”

If you’re ready to thrive in this new era, start by learning how to work with AI, not against it. Adaptation isn’t just survival — it’s how you get ahead.

Pablo Segarra, Esq.