Interface, a commercial carpet tile company, and the makers of image-generating artificial intelligence (AI) have landed spots on TIME magazine’s 100 most influential companies of 2023.

Among the electric vehicle makers, Skims and the creators of ChatGPT, a global leader in modular flooring has landed a spot on TIME’s ‘100 Most Influential Companies‘ for 2023.

Interface, US-based company with showrooms in Australia, was recognised in the ‘Pioneer’ category for its Flor area rugs, which are carbon-­negative, subtracting more carbon from the environment than they add. 

“By adjusting production methods, using renewable energy, and choosing eco-friendly suppliers, the Atlanta-based flooring company has made its full line of carpet and vinyl tiles carbon-neutral, a benefit that helps its corporate customers fulfil their own green promises,” TIME says in its listing.

TIME also acknowledged that Interface has become a fully carbon-­neutral enterprise, including its supply chains.

“Many companies have made commitments to carbon reduction, and a good portion of that comes in the built environment,” says CEO Laurel Hurd. 

Image-generating AI increasingly influential

Recognition by this prestigious publication can be a big deal for small players.

TIME is transparent about its selection process. According to editor in chief Sam Jacobs, nominations are sought from contributors, correspondents and experts across the globe. Key factors are considered such as the company impact, innovation, ambition and success, before the list of “businesses helping chart an essential path forward” is released.

Although climate-conscious companies are gaining momentum, like everything this year, the list has come to be dominated by AI. 

In the ‘Disruptors’ category was Stability AI, the creators of Stable Diffusion – a free, open-source text-to-image generator. Stable Diffusion takes prompts from users and turns them into images, with the capability to create realistic images that could be used in architectural bids within seconds.

Architecture and design could face an augmented future. Woods Bagot architect Jet Geaghan said new tools like Stable Diffusion give designers a “speedy visual foundation on which to build an aesthetic”.

“To deliver empathetic, reasoned designs, AI needs the human-hand. Likewise, for unrestrained ideation and visual streamlining, delegating to AI will become a necessity in the competitive architectural marketplace,” says Geaghan.

“This reciprocal relationship makes AI a tool that will develop alongside its trade, not one that will leave it behind.”

TIME’s annual list gives us a glimpse of the direction influential companies might be leading us – including in the world of architecture and design.

Cover image via TIME.

In other industry news, read about how Australia’s oldest First Nations gallery has rebranded as Art Leven for an upcoming exhibition.