Kartell's A.I. family by Philippe Starck gets talked about a lot, and not always accurately. This guide sticks to what Kartell says about each piece: how the designs were created, what they are made from and where each one works best in a home.
What "A.I." actually means here
The name refers to how the furniture was designed, not to anything the furniture does. Kartell describes A.I. as the first product family conceived by artificial intelligence, working from Philippe Starck's brief and Kartell's know-how. In other words, Starck set out what he wanted, and the shapes were developed with generative design powered by artificial intelligence.
Nothing in Kartell's descriptions mentions sensors, motors or controls: these are chairs, stools and a console table that you use like any other. What the process gives you is a particular look: the fluid, organic lines that run right through the family.
The other common thread is material. Each piece is described as made from recycled material (in the console's case, used illy coffee capsules), and the original chair sits within Kartell's "Kartell loves the planet" commitment to sustainability.
The A.I. Chair and the A.I. Lite Chair
The A.I. Chair is where the family started. Kartell says it was created using generative design powered by artificial intelligence and is made from recycled material, without compromising its aesthetics or structural strength. That last point matters: recycled doesn't mean flimsy here.
The A.I. Lite Chair was also designed by Philippe Starck using AI-assisted design. Kartell describes it as lightweight yet robust, made from recycled material, and suited to dining rooms, offices and outdoor living areas. If you want one design that can sit round a dining table indoors and also join you on the terrace, the Lite is the one to look at first.
A practical tip for either chair: because the lines are so sculptural, they look best with a little space around them. Around a dining table, leave enough room between chairs for the curves to read, rather than squeezing in an extra seat.
The A.I. stools: kitchen islands and lower counters
Kartell calls the A.I. Stool Recycled the world's first stool designed using artificial intelligence. It extends the family with a broad, welcoming seat and a supportive back, and it is made from 100% recycled plastic with a soft-touch finish. With a 65cm seat height, it is made for kitchen islands.
The A.I. Stool Light is also made from recycled material with a soft-touch finish. Its three heights all come from the same mould, which Kartell describes as a greener production process. One of the options is 45cm, so check the choices against your own counter or table before you buy.
Before you order any stool, measure from the floor to the underside of your worktop. As a rule of thumb, leave roughly 25 to 30cm between the seat and the underside of the counter so knees fit comfortably. Allow some elbow room between stools, too.
The A.I. Console
The A.I. Console takes the family's fluid lines and distils them into a slim table with a single central leg. Kartell says it is made from used illy coffee capsules, which gives a second life to something most of us throw away without a thought.
A slim console with a single central leg suits a hallway, the wall behind a sofa or a narrow landing. Keep the styling simple: a lamp, a small dish for keys and perhaps one piece of art above. The shape is the point, so don't hide it under clutter.
Mixing the pieces at home
Because the chair, stools and console share the same flowing lines, they work well together without looking like a matched set bought in one go. A few ideas:
- Use A.I. Chairs at the dining table and A.I. Stool Recycled at the kitchen island in an open-plan room, so the two zones feel connected.
- Put the A.I. Console in the hallway as a first glimpse of the design before guests reach the kitchen.
- Pair the sculptural shapes with plain surroundings, such as a simple timber table or a calm wall colour, so the curves stand out.
You can see the whole range in our Kartell furniture collection, or browse more of the designer's work in our Philippe Starck collection. If you'd like help choosing heights or finishes, visit us in Somerset or get in touch with the team.
