So basically, the role of "web designer" is becoming obsolete for small projects, as people are taking notice web developers got their way path open to doing design tasks for peanuts, and conversely, web designers have to upscale their toolset to match the demand. Like, no one would list "React" in a designer's toolset like this article did UNLESS if the process was borderline a copy paste work.
Not necessarily obsolete. If the guy wants to do better, he should try to learn some of those AI tools. He's not being replaced by AI, he's being replaced by someone who uses AI to boost productivity
But as productivity increases, doesn't that mean you need fewer people to do the same work, so people are still being put out of a job? I doubt that there are so many people needing web designers.
Better to see more creativity then the real solution most small businesses go for of just making a face book page and letting FB handle their design for them.