GenAI-free workshop?

The ideation workshop was initiated at a time when creative work was built without generative AI. That is, primary ideation tools were, and are sketching by hand, using pen and paper, sketch modelling, using cardboard, foam board and balsa wood as well as clay, wire and plastic sheets, and print materials. These tools are fast, low-cost and flexible supporting human creativity and traditional design principles. However, the analogue tools were, and are supplemented by software tools such as Adobe Photoshop and CAD, that is, physical and digital craft combined. Now, this largely manual ideation process can be simulated by GenAI. But there are distinctions to be made between the two approaches. That is, whereas manual design relies on human intent and intuition, technical skill and emotional response, GenAI relies on training data, prompt instruction and algorithmic pattern-matching. Of course, manual design ways and GenAI can be combined for design ideation, also informed by the complexity, constraints and scale of the project. However, to evaluate the respective outcome, the comparison, ultimately would relay not on the tools used but on human review, judgement and oversight. And so, what matters in the workshop is good design ideas, not the tools used to produce the ideas. However, the tools used, whether manual or digital should, for clarity and integrity, be acknowledged as part of the idea(s) presentation.