Published on
January 13, 2026 • by
AI has become a powerful part of web design, but there are still moments where only a human can create real connection. In this episode, I break down exactly where the human touch still wins.
Listen to the full episode
Transcript
Intro: Even as AI gets smarter, it may never replicate human intuition. It can’t read between the lines, sense unspoken needs, or make emotionally resonant decisions. A great website doesn’t just function — it feels right.
Welcome to the CherryOnTop Café. This podcast episode is all about why professional web design is more valuable than ever — and how designers like me work with AI, not against it.
And if you hear a gentle patter in the background, that’s just the UK doing what it does best — raining, even when nobody asked for it. Grab a coffee, settle in, and let's begin.
Every few days I get a message that goes something like: “Hello! We are a specialised web design agency. We’d love to build you a website… for free.”
Now, I’m not new to this game, but I still have to laugh. Offering a free website to a web designer is like offering a free haircut to a hairdresser. Sweet, but… why? And more importantly — what exactly are they offering?
Because let’s be honest: if someone actually accepted that offer, they’d end up with a generic, AI‑generated website built in about twelve seconds. Something they could’ve created themselves by typing “Make me a website” into any AI builder. Job done. Sort of.
But here’s the real question nobody asks: What happens after the website magically appears?
Who updates it? Who writes the articles? Who manages the subscribers, the SEO, the analytics, the brand voice, the user journey? Who makes sure the whole thing doesn’t collapse the moment you try to add a new page?
Spoiler alert: it’s not the free website fairy.
Now, don’t get me wrong — AI is impressive. Tools like Wix ADI, ChatGPT, and Canva can whip up a decent‑looking site faster than you can say “drag and drop.” They’re brilliant for prototypes, quick fixes, or when your budget is somewhere between “zero” and “please help.” AI can generate layouts, write passable copy, and even suggest colour schemes. It’s fast, efficient, and surprisingly clever… for a robot.
Speaking of robots — did you know that the word robot actually comes from a Czech play written by Karel Čapek in 1920? His brother Josef coined the term from robota, meaning forced labour. So yes, robots literally started out as overworked employees in sci‑fi.
So, your website is generated — what now? And here’s where the magic — and the limitation of AI — kicks in.
AI doesn’t get you. It doesn’t understand your brand’s personality, your audience’s emotional triggers, or the subtle cultural cues that make your business feel human. It can follow a recipe, but it can’t taste the food. It can generate a layout, but it can’t sense when something feels off. It can write copy, but it can’t tell when the tone is wrong for your audience.
It’s like hiring a chef who can read instructions perfectly but has no idea what your guests actually enjoy eating. You’ll get food — but will it be memorable?
That’s where human designers come in.
As web designers, we bring something AI can’t: intuition. We can read between the lines. We can sense what you’re trying to say even when you don’t have the words yet. We can look at your brand and understand the story behind it — the values, the quirks, the personality, the emotional heartbeat.
We know when to break the rules for impact. We know how to guide users through a journey that feels effortless. We know how to make your brand feel alive online — not just present.
We don’t just use AI. We curate it. We take the raw material and shape it into something meaningful, strategic, and uniquely yours. Think of me as your digital tailor — not your template pusher. While AI can give you a shirt, we give you the perfect fit.
And even as AI gets smarter, there are things it may never master. It can’t sense unspoken needs. It can’t make emotionally resonant decisions. It can’t understand humour, culture, nuance, or the subtle psychology of design.
A great website doesn’t just function — it feels right. And that feeling comes from human insight, empathy, and artistic instinct.
So yes, AI will keep evolving. But designers won’t disappear — we will evolve too. We’ll shift from builders to experience curators, blending technology with humanity in ways AI simply can’t replicate.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your website and you want a human touch — the kind that understands your brand, your audience, and your goals — let’s talk. I offer 1:1 consultations and design packages tailored to your business needs.
And if you want weekly tips that blend tech, creativity, and a little bit of Czech trivia, hit subscribe. This is CherryOnTop — where good design gets the human treatment.