Bridging Technology and Creativity: A Study on AI Adoption in Product Design Education

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into design education has accelerated in recent years, offering new opportunities for enhancing creativity, efficiency, and personalized learning. In product design courses, AI applications such as ChatGPT and Midjourney enable advanced ideation, rapid prototyping, and automated feedback, yet their adoption raises pedagogical and ethical questions. This study investigates the adoption of AI tools in product design education, focusing on student acceptance, patterns of use, and their impact on creativity, efficiency, and learning outcomes. It further explores the opportunities and challenges of embedding AI into the curriculum. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining student surveys with classroom observations. The analysis was structured using the Concept–Design–Implementation–Operation with Reflection and Interaction (CDIO–RI) framework, alongside functional assessments of AI applications in concept generation, design implementation, and evaluation. Survey findings indicated that 70% of students opposed banning AI tools, 66% extensively used ChatGPT, and 34% adopted Midjourney. Students reported that AI tools enhanced brainstorming, accelerated prototyping, and improved design quality. However, concerns were raised regarding over-reliance, bias in AI-generated outputs, and the need for continuous upskilling. AI tools demonstrate transformative potential in product design education by fostering creativity, streamlining processes, and offering personalized support. Effective integration requires embedding AI literacy and ethics into curricula, coupled with a balanced approach that maintains critical thinking and traditional design practices. This work is one of the earliest works integrating AI into CDIO–RI design process.

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