Introducing the #AISummer2023 series, a continuation of the original #30DayAIChallenge in Spring. As the field of AI evolves, this series delves deeper into the latest advancements in AI tools and capabilities. It represents not just my practical tinkering over the Summer, but a metaphorical ‘summer’ of AI growth and evolution.

The Hotel Industry’s Newest Team Member – AI?

Let’s set the stage. You’re a hotel designer staring at a blank canvas, coffee in hand. Your challenge? To transform empty spaces into guest havens that people don’t want to leave. Now, imagine a tool that instantly sketches various design options, keeping in mind the latest trends and guest preferences. Sounds like a dream, right? Enter Generative AI—the digital artist that’s creating quite a buzz in the design community. But can it really be part of your design toolkit? Let’s dive in!

Why AI Could be a Game-Changer

Quick Sketch, Quicker Decisions

Remember those hours spent brainstorming and doodling initial design concepts? Generative AI can do that in a snap, churning out numerous design sketches based on what you’re looking for—whether it’s a “boho-chic” boutique hotel room or a minimalist executive suite.

There are plenty of tools emerging that aim to make interior design more accessible to the masses…for the professionals, of course, there are more advanced options available (and likely to emerge as the space matures).

Here’s an interesting example of using generative AI tools like Midjourney (which will keep getting more powerful) to go from a room design sketch to a photo realistic version of the same space. Given the current state of development, this still requires a bit of promptcraft and finessing…but all this will become a lot easier in the future.

No More Redo, Just Refine!

Iterating designs usually means back-and-forths that last weeks. Generative AI lets you visualize multiple versions almost instantly. Don’t like the curtain choices or room layouts? A few clicks, and you have another set of options.

In the above example I used an AI tool called “ReRoom” to provide an input hotel room image and produce different design style at the click of a button.

Saving Bucks Like Never Before

Time is money, right? With AI handling the routine tasks like layout adjustments or suggesting materials, you can complete projects faster and leaner. That’s a win in any hotel manager’s book.

There are various tools, including Adobe Photoshop Beta, that allow you to Inpaint (select areas of images and replace them with AI generated content…also known as Generative Fill)…want to swap out a painting? It’s as easy as selecting the area and asking Generative AI features to do the rest.

Tailored Spaces, Happy Faces

Ever wished you could read your guests’ minds? While AI doesn’t do mind-reading, it does the next best thing—analyzing guest reviews and feedback to give you insights into what most guests actually want in a room.

The Bumps on the AI Road

The ‘Human’ Missing in the Equation

AI is smart but it doesn’t “feel.” It won’t understand why a local artisan’s artwork could speak volumes more than a generic painting, for instance.

Who Gets the Creative Crown?

If a machine churns out the design, who gets the credit? These are murky waters, and they bring up all sorts of questions about ownership and copyrights.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

AI is like a toddler—it learns from what it sees. Feed it poor data, and don’t be surprised if it suggests designs that make you cringe.

What’s Next? The Future is Hybrid

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

The future isn’t about robots replacing us; it’s about AI helping us become better at what we do. Imagine AI handling all the number-crunching and data analysis, freeing you up to focus on adding that unique creative touch only a human can provide.

VR + AI = Mind-Blown

Imagine walking through a virtual hotel room designed by AI, tweaking design elements as you go. VR and AI together could make this mind-blowing experience a reality soon.

Personalized Rooms, No Sweat

Picture this: rooms that change according to guest preferences, right from the color schemes to the types of pillows. Far-fetched? Maybe not, with AI doing the heavy lifting.

Ready to Let AI Join Your Team?

It might take some getting used to, and sure, you’ll need to learn a few new tricks. But incorporating AI into your workflow could revolutionize how you design and who knows, it might just become your new best friend in the design room.

Final Thoughts: A Collaboration for the Books?

Generative AI is far from perfect, but its potential is electrifying. As we look to the future, the mantra seems to be collaboration, not competition, between man and machine. So next time you sit down with that blank canvas, who knows? You might just have a new co-designer sitting (virtually) beside you.

So, are you ready to embrace the future? Because it looks like it’s going to be a game-changer.

BONUS – here’s an interview with a seasoned hotel design expert, who actually leads global design teams for a living…see what he has to say about his own design philosophy and AI’s potential and pitfalls in the space.