Pathways for Integrating AI Education in the Design Curriculum

As Artificial Intelligence increasingly enters all areas of design, it presents both opportunities and challenges for design education. The complexity and constant evolution of the technology makes it difficult for designers to assess what is (or will be) technically feasible. This often leads to unintentionally speculative proposals or the use of AI as a ‚wildcard‘. This dynamic raises broader questions: Is it enough for designers to treat AI as a tool, or should they also help shape its development and trajectory?

At the AI+D Lab at the University of Design Schwäbisch Gmünd, established as part of the KITeGG research consortium, we are exploring strategies for the meaningful integration of AI into design education. Our aim is to equip students with both practical skills and critical perspectives – helping them to navigate the complexities of AI, collaborate across disciplines and contribute to the responsible development of the technology.

We shared insights from this work at the 2023 IxDA Interaction Design Education Summit, presenting our session ‚Pathways for Integrating AI Education in the Design Curriculum‘.