AI and the future of design: Balancing technology, humanity, and innovation
In this episode, Maria sits down with Mike Sewell, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Gresham Smith, to explore what happens when engineering, interior design, and artificial intelligence intersect. From a life changing moment on a bicycle that reshaped how he thinks about designing for people, to his role as Chief Digital Transformation Officer guiding firm wide digital innovation, Mike shares a powerful perspective on the future of practice. Together, they unpack the tension between automation and creativity, the responsibility that comes with AI, the risks of a race to the bottom, and why authenticity and human connection matter more than ever. This conversation is a thoughtful, energizing look at how we balance technology and humanity and why, at the end of the day, design is still about people.
Key Insights
- Designing for people—not simply cars, buildings or deliverables—creates environments that respond to real human needs and experiences.
- AI should augment designers’ expertise and creativity rather than automate away the human perspective that gives their work meaning.
- Over-automation can weaken young professionals’ development by removing the challenges and hands-on experiences that build judgment and leadership.
- Authentic communication and collaborative creation will become increasingly valuable as AI-generated content makes genuine human connection easier to recognize.
- Designers must protect intellectual property and data privacy when adopting AI tools to avoid diminishing the value of creative work.
Technology can support more empathetic design by revealing how people emotionally respond to environments and identifying places that may cause stress.
Learn more about Mike Sewell
Mike Sewell is the Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Gresham Smith, where he leads firmwide strategies that bring together emerging technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics and innovative design methods. A nationally recognized thought leader, Mike explores how technology can strengthen the work of architects and engineers while preserving the creativity, authenticity and human connection at the heart of design. He also developed MPATH: Empathic Insights, an award-winning platform that measures people’s emotional responses to the built environment to help create safer, more people-centered spaces. Beyond the firm, Mike serves on the League of American Bicyclists’ Board of Directors and has testified before Congress on transportation safety, connectivity and funding. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Maria VanDeman
Maria VanDeman is the Director of Design Strategy at OFS, where she brings together design, strategy, and storytelling to create spaces that support people and inspire connection. With more than 17 years of experience in the commercial design industry, Maria has built a career spanning interior design, strategic sales, thought leadership, and advocacy for equity in the workplace. As the host of the Imagine a Place Podcast and the author of Design Your World, she is passionate about elevating the design profession and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Recognized with the 2022 HiP Leadership Award from Interior Design magazine, Maria is known for her thoughtful leadership, commitment to mentorship, and belief in the power of design to positively shape the human experience. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.
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Read More about Maria in the Imagine a Place Journal
Learn more about Imagine a Place
Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.
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