Robert Polacek on AI, Creative Agility, and the Future of Design Practice Amidst a Digital Takeover
May 15, 2026 – 1:05 pm
TL;DR
Robert Polacek, co-founder and creative director of RoseBernard Studio, argues that artificial intelligence (AI) works best when it’s invisible, handling mundane tasks behind the scenes so designers can focus on creative work. He believes smaller, agile studios are better positioned to adopt new tools quickly, and younger talent already expects AI as standard practice.
AI as an Efficiency Tool for Designers
Artificial intelligence has held a prominent place in discussions about architecture, design, and other creative industries. However, Robert Polacek shifts the focus towards how technology can expand creative capacity and foster stronger collaborations across the industry. He views AI as an efficiency tool that empowers creatives to spend more time developing ideas and strengthening conceptual work within studio environments. Recent studies support his viewpoint; 84% of architects are optimistic about AI’s potential to automate manual tasks.
Subtle Integration at Milan Design Week
Polacek observed that, during Milan Design Week, AI was subtly integrated into architecture, installations, renderings, written material, and creative production methods, rather than being overtly visible. "AI wasn’t out in the forefront," he notes, "it was behind the scenes, doing what it needed to do to create the art that we were seeing." This observation reinforces his belief that AI should work discreetly to enhance creative output.
Balancing Human Qualities and Technology
Polacek emphasizes the importance of using AI tactfully, avoiding cost-cutting measures that might dilute the human qualities essential to creative work’s meaning and emotional resonance. Conversely, he argues against firms completely resisting technological evolution, as they risk falling behind operationally and creatively. "We want to create less friction," he explains, "so we’re constantly aware of keeping up."
Agile Work Culture at RoseBernard Studio
Inside RoseBernard Studio, Polacek promotes adaptability in their work culture. Team meetings focus on evaluating new software, testing systems, and determining whether tools can improve workflow, collaboration, and creative development. "We meet every two weeks as a team," he says, "and look at the software we’re working on and the ones coming out. We ask ourselves, ‘Should we change?’ And if it meets our needs, we do, because we’re nimbler."