AI is moving fast: are you feeling empowered or overwhelmed?

For me it’s a mix of both. AI tools in Photoshop definitely speed up ideation, but the real creativity still comes from deciding which ideas actually work. I see AI more as a brainstorming partner than a replacement for creative intuition.

I'm having a very difficult time being back on Ps.  I used to be able to do just about anything with it back in the day.  Now, I can't find half the tools zi used in the past and when I do, they don't respond the same way!  I really need to come up to speed with this.  I just picked up a new laser engraving/embossing/etching system and am relying heavily on Ps but I have to fight my way thru each project!  Plus now thT I'm  older and my eyesight isn't what it once was I can hardly see the commands and Icons.  Been thru preferences and and other system modification utilities but tiny type and old eyes are getting the better of me!

At this point, I am totally lost!  Would love to have an older version of Ps when things weren't so convoluted!  Please HELP!

It’s definitely a bit of both. The speed is empowering for hitting deadlines, but the "creative gut" concern is real.

Think of it this way: AI handles the execution, but you still provide the intent. We’re shifting from being the "builders" to being the "architects." The overwhelm usually fades once you stop trying to learn every tool and just focus on the ones that actually save you time.

AI hasn’t killed creativity—it’s changed its role.
You’re not losing your “gut feeling,” you’re shifting it from making everything manually to choosing, guiding, and refining ideas.

The real skill now isn’t just drawing—it’s taste, direction, and decision-making.

This really resonates! I’ve been experimenting with AI tools like Firefly and Gemini Nano inside Photoshop too, and it’s wild how fast ideas can come now. On one hand, it feels like I have a creative partner that expands what I can do in minutes. On the other hand, I sometimes catch myself relying on the AI’s suggestions more than my own gut instincts.

For me, the shift has been less about replacing creativity and more about curating it—choosing which AI ideas align with my vision. I’d say it’s empowering, but it also makes me reflect more deliberately on why I make certain design choices.

Curious to hear how others balance speed and intuition in their process!

I’m feeling disgusted. AI is a garbage fire. Its rich techbros stealing creative work and destroying the environment so they can funnel more cash into their already-bulging pockets. AI is unreliable, its mostly being used by “artists” with neither taste nor talent, and its not something I want hijacking engineering and hardware resources. A plague on the whole thing.

This is a really thoughtful question, and I think many of us are feeling that tension right now.

For me, AI definitely feels like a creative accelerator, but only when I already have a direction in mind. If I jump into AI too early, I notice my ideas become more reactive instead of intentional.

What’s changed the most is where the “skill” sits — it’s less about executing every detail and more about judgment, taste, and knowing when something actually works.

I don’t think the gut feeling is disappearing, but it does need more protection now. Taking a step back before using AI — even briefly — helps keep that original instinct alive.

This is such a great discussion — honestly, I feel both empowered and a bit cautious at the same time.

AI tools in Photoshop (especially with Firefly and similar models) have definitely changed how I approach ideation. The speed is incredible — like having an endless brainstorming partner — but I’ve noticed that if I rely on it too early, my own creative direction gets weaker.

For me, the best balance has been starting with rough ideas or mental concepts first, then using AI to expand and refine. That way it feels like I’m still “driving,” not just selecting outputs.

And yeah, that “shopping for ideas” feeling is real — sometimes I even step away completely and reset with something simple (even quick browser games like <url removed by mod> just to refresh my mind 😄) before coming back with a clearer perspective.

In the end, I think AI doesn’t replace the gut feeling — it just tests how strong it really is.

I am also worried, Ai can take over graphic designer so I started blogging.