Tuhin Kumar - From Airbnb to Apple to designing with AI

This episode explores the evolving role of design in AI-native product organizations, specifically focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI. Against the backdrop of Luma AI's pivot from 3D to video models, the conversation delves into the zero-to-one design process, emphasizing the designer's role in shaping what should come into existence. More significantly, the discussion highlights the importance of "desirability" in AI product design, moving beyond functional requirements to create a "creative partnership" between user and AI. For instance, the design of Luma's Brainstorm feature aims to foster this partnership by providing users with nuanced options and expanding their creative vocabulary. The interview also touches upon the unique challenges of designing for rapidly evolving AI technology, requiring designers to anticipate future capabilities and build modular, resilient products. Ultimately, this episode reveals how designers in AI-native orgs are not only shaping products but also influencing the direction of research itself, reflecting emerging industry patterns where design expertise extends beyond visual aesthetics to encompass system design and model behavior.