Creativity in the Age of AI

My feelings about AI are complicated. And always changing.

When ChatGPT first launched, I thought, that’s it, I’m out of a job. As a writer, I take pride in figuring out the perfect way I wanted to phrase something. I felt like I didn’t need some stupid robot telling me what to say.

But after looking down the barrel of writing more LinkedIn promos and finding contact information, well, that robot was looking more and more appealing. Work smarter, not harder, right?

Why waste my time on the tedious aspects of the job when AI could do it in a flash? (It’s that, or get some interns in here, stat. And they’d probably be using AI for those tasks, anyway!)

Now I view AI as a tool. It can help with the boring stuff. I still get to do the creative stuff.

I imagine architects had a similar dilemma when AI started to get more prolific. Would they have to give up their artistry to keep up with corporate demand to integrate the technology? Would all new office buildings start looking the same—and feeling soulless?

Thankfully, so far this is not the case.

In Madalina Pojoga’s article “Architect Roundtable: When AI Joins the Design Team,” five industry experts share how they incorporate the technology into their visions without losing their creativity.

“While it may seem that AI is taking over architectural design, especially given the gen-AI image realm, AI is nowhere near replacing the complexity of architecture,” Jonah Hawk of ZGF Architects told Pojoga.

Echoed Charles Bloszies of The Office of Charles F. Bloszies, “It’s not like you can say to an AI tool: ‘Design me a house like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater,’ and get a full set of floorplans and specifications.”

Where do they find AI has the greatest impact for them? Quality assurance. Data processing. Tracking and flagging compliance issues. Freeing up the architects to do what they do best: design.

Learn more about how CRE architects are applying AI in the issue. I’d love to hear some of the ways you’re incorporating AI into your development and design plans, as well! (Or if you’re too busy, you can ask AI to craft the email for you. I don’t mind!) You can send me a message at jessica.fiur@cpe-mhn.com.

Read the February 2026 issue of CPE.