Is AI 'just' a new technology? On integrating AI education in digital design curricula

Authors Koen van Turnhout, Shakila Shayan, Aletta Smits
Publication date 2024
Research groups Human Experience & Media Design
Type Lecture

Summary

Design schools in digital media and interaction design face the challenge of integrating recent artificial intelligence (AI) advancements into their curriculum. To address this, curricula must teach students to design both "with" and "for" AI. This paper addresses how designing for AI differs from designing for other novel technologies that have entered interaction design education. Future digital designers must develop new solution repertoires for intelligent systems. The paper discusses preparing students for these challenges, suggesting that design schools must choose between a lightweight and heavyweight approach toward the design of AI. The lightweight approach prioritises designing front-end AI applications, focusing on user interfaces, interactions, and immediate user experience impact. This requires adeptness in designing for evolving mental models and ethical considerations but is disconnected from a deep technological understanding of the inner workings of AI. The heavyweight approach emphasises conceptual AI application design, involving users, altering design processes, and fostering responsible practices. While it requires basic technological understanding, the specific knowledge needed for students remains uncertain. The paper compares these approaches, discussing their complementarity.

On this publication contributed

  • Koen van Turnhout
    Koen van Turnhout
    • Professor
    • Research group: Human Experience & Media Design
  • Shakila Shayan
    • Lecturer-researcher
    • Research group: Human Experience & Media Design

Language English
Key words Artificial Intelligence, digital design, interaction design, design education

Koen van Turnhout

Koen van Turnhout

Koen van Turnhout

  • Professor
  • Research group: Human Experience & Media Design