Cliff Tan Stands by His AI Video Despite Criticism and Issues Apology

After a paid advertisement for Dreamina (ByteDance), designer and YouTuber Cliff Tan faced a wave of criticism. He issued an apology without removing the video and claims that ignoring AI would be irresponsible. He describes himself as "really, really analog," does not plan to use AI in his videos, but does not rule out other partnerships if they serve the industry or education.

He Excludes AI from His Videos but Remains Open to Partnerships

Cliff Tan describes himself as "really, really analog" and does not foresee AI playing a role in the creation of his videos. However, he does not dismiss the possibility of future AI promotions, indicating that he could endorse it if it proves useful for the industry or education. This situation arises as other creators are also facing criticism for their use of AI: Hank Green, for example, apologized for overusing AI in his research and subsequently published a new policy on the subject.

Hostile Comments and 1,800 Likes on a Critical Post

Cliff Tan's promotion of AI has sparked numerous negative comments, including "Cliff, no, don't give in to this AI mush." Another critical post received 1,800 likes. Cliff Tan explains that he expected some negative reactions, but not to such an extent, and reports that some fans felt he was no longer the same and expressed disappointment at seeing him "jump on the bandwagon."

A Paid Advertisement for Dreamina, Owned by ByteDance

The video in question is a paid promotion for Dreamina, a Chinese AI company owned by ByteDance. Cliff Tan did not remove the video after issuing his apology. In this advertisement, he uploads hand-drawn sketches to the platform, which transforms them into an animated floor plan. He clarifies that he intended to demonstrate a use case aimed at speeding up a lengthy process rather than generating ideas indiscriminately.

He Advocates for AI Learning for Young Architects

Cliff Tan asserts that young architects need to learn how to use AI to secure jobs. As an influencer, he says he is uncomfortable with the idea of ignoring the potential applications of AI in architecture and interior design, believing it would be irresponsible to set aside this technology. Although he claims not to use it frequently, he is speaking from London, where he hosts the YouTube channel Dear Modern (2.4 million subscribers) and an associated TikTok account (3.6 million followers).