AI Design Gone Wrong?
Figma Disables Feature Over Apple Weather App Similarities
Figma CEO said, "accusations around data training in this tweet are false."
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Zac Wolff / Unsplash |
Figma, the popular design software company, is facing a
temporary setback with its new AI design feature, "Make Design." The
feature, launched last week at Figma's Config conference, has come under fire
for allegedly replicating the design of Apple's Weather app.
The issue came to light thanks
to Andy Allen, founder of NotBoring Software. While testing Make Design, Allen
noticed it consistently generated layouts strikingly similar to Apple's Weather
app. He took to social media, raising concerns that Figma's AI tool might be
"heavily trained on existing apps."
Figma AI looks rather heavily trained on existing apps.
This is a "weather app" using the new Make Designs feature and the results are basically Apple's Weather app (left). Tried three times, same results. https://t.co/Ij20OpPCer pic.twitter.com/psFTV6daVD
— Andy Allen (@asallen) July 1, 2024
Figma CEO Dylan Field swiftly responded, denying the accusation. He clarified that Make Design utilizes
off-the-shelf large language models alongside "systems we
commissioned" specifically for the tool. However, Field acknowledged a
shortcoming in this approach - low output variability. This resulted in the
repetitive generation of layouts resembling existing apps, like Apple's Weather.
The discovery sparked worry
within the design community. Many designers expressed concerns about AI
potentially replacing human jobs. Others, however, offered a counterpoint,
suggesting that AI could automate repetitive tasks, freeing designers to focus
on more creative endeavors.
Following Allen's tweet and
the subsequent discussion, Figma opted for a proactive approach. Field
announced the temporary disabling of Make Design. This will allow the team to
conduct a thorough quality assurance (QA) review of the underlying design
system. Figma aims to re-enable the feature only after ensuring its output is
original and meets their quality standards.
This incident highlights the
challenges and ethical considerations surrounding AI in the design industry. While
AI holds great promise for streamlining workflows, ensuring originality and
responsible development remains crucial. Figma's swift action in addressing the
issue demonstrates their commitment to providing trustworthy design tools.
