Mercedes design chief predicts AI will replace car designers in 10 years
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Mercedes-Benz's Chief of Design, Gorden Wagener, has stated that artificial intelligence (AI) will likely replace human designers within the next decade, reshaping the automotive design landscape.
While acknowledging that the technology is not yet at its full potential, Wagener highlighted the rapid advancements in AI and its increasing role in design processes at Mercedes-Benz.
In an interview, Wagener shared that although AI-generated designs are still in their infancy, with a majority falling short of standards, a small percentage already meets high expectations.
He stressed that AI's capabilities are improving daily, making it a crucial tool for designers in the future. 'We work with AI now,' Wagener explained. 'You get 99 percent of c**p with AI and sheer quantity. That's the biggest problem – sorting out the good stuff from the bad. But you get one percent of good stuff, and we keep learning.'
Wagener went on to predict that in the next 10 years, the majority of design work in the automotive industry will be handled by AI, ultimately rendering human designers obsolete. 'AI will drastically change the way we design. I think in 10 years, maybe, most of design will be done by AI, and it will make designers obsolete,' he remarked. He also joked that AI would replace him at Mercedes-Benz, adding, 'My successor will be a machine, and it will be much cheaper than my salary.'
Although Wagener envisions a future where AI dominates design, he is not alone in embracing the technology. Automakers like General Motors and Tesla are already incorporating AI into their design processes, with Tesla utilising AI to create structural components and optimise vehicle aesthetics. Mercedes-Benz has also used AI for design work in its luxury real estate developments, such as its Miami and Dubai projects.
In Miami, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with JDS Development Group and architectural firm SHoP Architects for its first North American real estate venture, Mercedes-Benz Places.
The 67-story tower blends the brand's design philosophy with luxury living, offering residences, a hotel, office spaces, and unique Mercedes-branded amenities. The tower's design, including elements like silver exteriors and curved balconies, is heavily inspired by Mercedes-Benz's automotive aesthetics.
Despite the potential of AI, there are contrasting views within the industry. While Wagener envisions a future dominated by AI, other designers, like Maserati's Klaus Busse, remain cautious. Busse has stated that AI is a useful tool but is not a complete solution, as it merely mirrors existing designs rather than innovating for the future.
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