Figma CEO Dylan Field announced the temporary disablement of the “Make Design” AI feature following allegations that it closely mimicked Apple’s Weather app. The issue was highlighted by Andy Allen, founder of NotBoring Software, who observed that Figma’s tool frequently reproduced Apple’s app design.

Details:

• Discovery and Reaction: Allen tested the AI tool and noticed consistent replication of Apple‘s Weather app. He voiced his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Figma of heavily training the tool on existing apps. Field denied these allegations, stating the feature wasn’t trained on Figma content, community files, or specific app designs.

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

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• Purpose of the Feature: Introduced at Figma’s Config conference, the “Make Design” feature aimed to help developers quickly draft UI layouts from text prompts, speeding up the design process.
• Quality Assurance Issues: In response to the backlash, Field admitted that the quality assurance for the AI tool was insufficient. He acknowledged the oversight in rushing the feature’s release to stay competitive, which led to the problem.
• Community Concerns: The design community expressed mixed reactions. Some feared that AI tools like “Make Design” could replace jobs, while others believed AI could eliminate repetitive tasks, fostering more creativity. Allen warned designers to modify AI-generated results to avoid legal issues.
• Figma’s Response: Field stated that the tool’s variability was too low, causing it to replicate existing designs. He took responsibility for the inadequate QA process and promised that the feature would remain disabled until Figma completes a thorough QA review.

(4) I have asked our team to temporarily disable the Make Design feature until we are confident we can stand behind its output. The feature will be disabled when our US based team wakes up in a few hours, and we will re-enable it when we have completed a full QA pass on the…

— Dylan Field (@zoink) July 2, 2024

Twitter Highlights:

• Andy Allen (@andyallen) tweeted, “Figma’s AI seems to be copying existing apps. Designers, be cautious and modify results to avoid legal trouble.”

Figma AI designs a "not boring weather app" pic.twitter.com/2A6xD3yzIs

— Andy Allen (@asallen) July 1, 2024

• Dylan Field (@dylanfield) responded, “The issue is with the design systems used. It’s my fault for the insufficient QA process. We’re disabling the feature until we can ensure its reliability.”

My Perspective on Figma’s AI Design Feature Controversy

The disabling of Figma’s “Make Design” AI feature is a significant event that highlights the ongoing tension between innovation and originality in design. While AI has the potential to revolutionize the design process by automating repetitive tasks and sparking new creative directions, it must be implemented with caution. Figma’s decision to pause and reassess their AI tool reflects a responsible approach, ensuring that their technology enhances rather than compromises the integrity of the design community.

Conclusion:
Figma’s quick action to disable the feature underscores the need for rigorous QA in AI development. This incident highlights the importance of balancing innovation with ethical considerations and thorough testing to maintain trust within the design community.

For more information, read the full article on TechCrunch.