No part of this abstract was written via AI. Whether that’s to be condemned or celebrated could be a topic of much debate, a reflection of the broader and highly polarised discussion that tech as a whole has been embroiled in for the past three years. But amidst all the noise stands a generation of Designers facing an existential crisis: are our roles evolving or altogether disappearing? Are they being co-opted by those who believe tools alone can replicate our skills? And how are we meant to enthusiastically embrace the tools that have accelerated the very existential crisis we’re now facing?

As we grapple with these questions, this talk will explore why an existential crisis actually presents an opportunity for reinvention. But it won’t do so through the enthusiastic lens of a techno-optimist or early adopter. Rather, it will take an evidence-based look at previous major cycles of technological disruption and the effects they had on reshaping labour, combining that analysis with the first-hand experiences of someone who resisted being swept up by the hype, until I found my very own reasons to give in (within balance).