Bridging the AI Hype Gap The interior design industry is currently navigating a "backlash" phase where the reality of using generic AI tools often falls short of the massive marketing hype. In this episode, we move beyond the excitement of new model drops to address the "human readiness challenge" that leaves many talented designers feeling paralyzed by change. Joined by Microsoft’s Kristin Jin, we explore why most AI feels like a "people-pleasing" intern that requires too much hand-holding and how you can reclaim your cognitive freedom by moving toward a human-first framework. We dive into the shift from generic chatbots to custom-built environments, specifically the Digital Roundtable concept designed for luxury firms. Instead of struggling to make generic AI understand the nuances of a high-end project, you can now curate a board of up to 10 specialized avatars—from marketing experts to operational strategists—who act as your firm’s strategic board of directors. We discuss how to automate the "brainless" tasks that drain your energy, like drafting site visit follow-ups and launching project tasks, so you can focus on the critical thinking and high-level design work that truly moves the needle for your business.