VW Group Designer Admits AI Could Take Over Their Jobs
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the automotive design landscape. While the technology is a highly useful tool for designers, it also carries a number of risks.
Karl Neuhold, head of exterior design at Skoda, part of VW Group, said he was surprised by the capabilities of modern AI. However, he warned that the automotive industry may need fewer designers in the future, as computers can complete their work much faster and more efficiently.
Neuhold said he actively uses generative AI tools in his work and is greatly impressed by their performance.
“I was surprised by how good this technology is. I use it myself, too, and was amazed when a simple sketch could produce various versions in seconds, with results that I could not improve on through my own rendering process,” Neuhold said, as quoted by Carscoops on Thursday (15 October), local time.
Earlier versions of AI often produced incorrect logos and details. Most of these problems, however, have been addressed in recent updates.
Neuhold acknowledged the importance of AI in modern car design, calling the technology “the future”. He said professionals must keep up with the latest developments in their field to remain competitive.
He said that working in automotive design is now “no longer just about sketching”, but also requires the ability to understand and use AI.
“You know, we can work very quickly, and people can express their ideas faster and better,” Neuhold said of the relationship between designers and AI.
The capabilities of AI tools also pose a real threat to human jobs. Neuhold explained that design studios now need fewer people to complete the same work because AI helps them work faster while also stimulating creativity.
This is making it increasingly difficult for young designers to enter the profession.
Despite these challenges, the Skoda designer encouraged young talent to continue presenting hand-drawn sketches when applying for new jobs.
The traditional way of conveying forms and ideas through sketches can help recruiters better assess each applicant’s creative ability, potentially improving their chances of getting a job.
Neuhold believes human creativity will remain an important part of the car-design process, even as the use of AI expands.
The VW Group designer is not the only figure to have spoken publicly about new technology in automotive design departments. Last year, Gorden Wagener, former head of design at Mercedes-Benz, warned that AI could make car designers’ jobs redundant within the next decade.
Meanwhile, General Motors has integrated AI into its existing workflow. The company uses specialised tools to turn hand sketches into detailed three-dimensional (3D) images.
GM also uses a more complex AI-powered virtual wind tunnel to assess vehicle aerodynamics in real time. Ford has also adopted AI to add colour to black-and-white prototype images from the 1960s.