The acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) by an Australian interior design and design education community

This research captured the early acceptance levels of artificial intelligence (AI) technology by an Australian interior design community, including educational and professional sectors. The analysed results of a survey offer a timely snapshot of attitudes toward AI, as AI tools were starting to become readily available for interior designers. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) informs analysis of the responses from the participant cohorts of students, educators, and professionals. The trialling of AI engines by the researchers for the analysis of the responses offers a new contribution of knowledge for methodology. The outcomes showed a positive general acceptance of AI, a low level of early uptake of AI tools, and concerns regarding co-creation by humans and AI. Insights expressed in the participants’ responses are valuable for comparison with future research into interior design communities, as well as for AI tool developers in considering ways that AI could be useful for interior designers. The results of this research indicate the need to safeguard the joy and integrity of the human role in future design practice.