San Francisco, California – Figma, a design software company, faced backlash after its new tool, Make Designs, utilized generative AI to create designs that closely resembled Apple’s iOS weather app. The tool was swiftly removed following concerns raised by users and industry experts.

Figma CEO Dylan Field took to social media to address the situation, taking responsibility for pushing the team to meet a deadline and defending the company’s AI development approach. This incident raised questions about the training processes behind AI tools and the potential risks of unintentional design replication.

Andy Allen, CEO of Not Boring Software, highlighted the issue by showcasing the striking similarities between Figma’s designs and Apple’s weather app. He cautioned designers to thoroughly check their creations to avoid any legal complications due to unintentional similarities.

In an interview, Figma’s CTO Kris Rasmussen emphasized that their AI features were powered by third-party models and a bespoke design system, distancing the company from directly training the AI on existing app designs. Rasmussen acknowledged the need to address the concerns raised and ensure the quality and uniqueness of their design tools.

The use of OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Amazon’s Titan Image Generator G1 raised questions about the training data sources and highlighted the importance of transparency in AI development. Figma’s decision to introduce new AI training policies aimed at allowing users to opt-in or out of contributing to AI training reflected a commitment to user privacy and data ethics.

Looking ahead, Figma plans to enhance its design workflows by potentially training its own models while maintaining a focus on general design patterns and specific Figma design concepts. By implementing additional quality checks and variations in their design systems, Figma aims to prevent similar issues in the future.

Overall, the incident with Make Designs underscored the challenges and responsibilities associated with integrating AI into creative tools. Similar issues have been faced by other tech companies, prompting a reevaluation of AI training processes and the importance of user consent in data usage. Figma’s response to the situation and commitment to improving their AI tools demonstrate a proactive approach towards addressing concerns and upholding design integrity.