[BizHanKook] As the pace of AI technological advancement accelerates, there is a growing sense of crisis that the very concept of jobs could change entirely. Is AI a subject of fear for designers? Byun Sa-beom, CEO of BlurBlur and advisor at PLUS X, shared his experience in design and brand development using AI, emphasizing 'collaboration' with the technology.
CEO Byun Sa-beom founded the professional design firm PLUS X and is currently running the AI model agency BlurBlur. Byun began taking an interest in AI four years ago. He stated, "I believe an era has arrived where we can truly achieve things using AI. AI is a tool. This is a time when we need designers who can handle that tool well," adding, "In the early days of mobile apps, their functions were quite simple, but eventually, the companies that captured the market grew. I became interested in AI with the belief that the effect of early adoption is crucial."
CEO Byun emphasized that to utilize AI properly, one must endure the "time of inefficiency." He said, "What people find most difficult when first encountering AI is the period of inefficiency. There are many points of disappointment when looking at the initial results. If you cannot endure that, you develop a resistance to AI," adding, "Once you get past that time, there is much more to be gained by using AI. A time of patience is required."
For three to six months, he experimented with collaboration with AI by creating and refining tens of thousands of images. He created various outputs through image-generating AI and actively utilized AI for branding work as well. He expanded the scope of AI utilization from generating interview questions to learning responses and creating images. He also verified the progress of video generation technology by creating one piece of media art every day for three months.
CEO Byun explained, "Things I used to only imagine in my head, or things I had to ask developers to make, can now all be created through AI," adding, "While using AI, it felt like I wasn't just using a tool, but collaborating with a colleague."
He also touched on the changing role of technicians in the AI era. He predicted that in the future, AI will perform most of the work, while humans will take on the role of making final decisions and performing supplementary tasks. Consequently, he expects a collaborative system to emerge where many technicians utilize AI tools together.
Such changes are accompanied by a sense of professional crisis. Anxiety is spreading that as AI advances, many technicians will lose their jobs. CEO Byun stated, "I don't think there is any need to be afraid. Using AI broadens the scope of what I can do. The depth of imagination increases, and the amount of work one can create grows," adding, "If you experience AI step by step and endure the time of inefficiency, you will be able to work in a very enjoyable way."