VW Group Designer Admits AI Might Steal Their Jobs

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the automotive design landscape, and while the technology is a great tool for designers, it also poses risks. Karl Neuhold, Head of Exterior Design at VW Group's Skoda brand, has revealed that he is shocked by the capabilities of modern AI. Still, he also warns that the industry might require fewer designers in the future as computers make them significantly faster and more efficient.

In an interview with Autoweek.nl, Neuhold admitted that he actively uses generative AI tools in his own workflow and has been stunned by its performance: "I am shocked by how good it is. I use it myself too, and I am so surprised by a simple sketch where you have versions in seconds that you couldn't have rendered better yourself."

Anyone who has played around with online tools like Vizcom or even mainstream AI chatbots like Chat GPT and Google Gemini, knows what the Skoda designer is talking about. With simple prompts, the systems can transform a rough hand-drawn sketch into a spotless digital rendering with realistic shadows, reflections, and environment. Earlier versions used to generate false logos and details, but these issues have been largely ironed out with recent updates.

Neuhold conceded the importance of AI in moder vehicle design, and he referred to it as "the future." Neuhold believes that professionals need to stay "up-to-date" in their field, or they won't be able to stay competitive. He claims that working in the automotive design sector "is no longer just about sketching", but also about getting familiarized with the use of AI. Referring to the relationship between designers and AI, he said: "You know, we can work super fast, and people can express their ideas even faster and better."

In the same context, he warned that designers "need to be careful" in terms of their strategy moving forwards. Of course, the competence of AI tools is also posing a genuine threat to human labor. Neuhold explained that design studios need fewer people to do the same job, as AI is helping them work faster and trigged their creativity. This makes it harder for young designers to break into the profession.

Despite the challenges, the Skoda designer prompted young talent to show hand-drawn sketches when applying for a new position. The traditional way of communicating shapes and ideas might help recruiters better assess the creative abilities of each applicant, potentially helping them get the job. Neuhold believes that the creative nature of the human mind remains an essential part of the car-design process, even in a world where AI use is becoming more prevalent.

Of course, the VW Group designer is not the only one who has openly spoken about the rise of new tools within styling departments. Last year, Gorden Wagener, former Chief Design Officer at Mercedes, warned that AI could make car designers obsolete within the next decade. Meanwhile, General Motors has already embedded AI into its existing workflow, with specialized tools turning hand-drawn sketches into detailed 3D renders, with more complex AI-driven virtual wind tunnels evaluating the vehicle's aerodynamics in real-time. Ford has also adopted the use of AI to bring color to black-and-white prototype images from the 1960s.