Call me Nostradamus, but I believe AI will spell doom for many jobs in the coming decades, if not within years. We've already seen how quickly the technology has evolved, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss the possibility that machines will eventually replace people in many professions we once considered safe. The automotive industry is no exception.

Skoda's head of exterior design is a case in point, admitting he's genuinely shocked by how good the technology has become. Karl Neuhold told Dutch publication Autoweek that he's experimented with AI himself and was impressed by what it could accomplish with very little input.

'I’m shocked by how good it is. I use it myself, and I’m so surprised by a simple sketch that, in seconds, gives you versions you couldn’t have rendered better yourself.'

Neuhold sees AI as a way to speed up the creative process, letting designers explore ideas that would otherwise take much longer to visualize. A rough sketch can now produce several polished renderings within seconds, helping teams communicate ideas faster and more efficiently.

His message to fellow designers is clear: adapt or risk falling behind. In his view, sketching alone will no longer be enough to remain competitive. Designers must learn to incorporate AI into their workflows rather than ignore it.

There's a catch, however. If a smaller team can produce more designs in less time, automakers may eventually need fewer people working in their design studios. Neuhold acknowledges that possibility and is particularly concerned about what it means for aspiring designers.

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