The Future of Design Education with Artificial Intelligence Applications
Education is an endeavour to develop the innate potential in humans, both physically and mentally, through the values existing in society and culture (Zuhdi et al., 2021). Human acquisition of knowledge from the external is possible only through education; this encompasses gathering all necessary information about the present to understand history and prepare for future events (Hunter et al., 1999). This process enables individuals to maximise their abilities and skills, thereby contributing to the general welfare of society. The significance of education extends beyond mere individual development. Societies transform and progress through the power of education. Educated individuals can make more informed decisions, think critically, and bring innovative solutions to societal problems. Given the vital role of education in the development of individuals and societies, integrating continuously evolving technological innovations into educational processes becomes imperative to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of education. This integration significantly contributes to making educational methodologies more efficient and contemporary, thereby creating learning environments that are more suitable and effective for the needs of students and educators.
Artificial intelligence technologies are influencing every field, including the domain of education. These technologies provide personalised guidance, support, or feedback to students and teachers within the educational process (Krstić et al., 2022), and offer solutions to those facing challenges in accessing education and learning (Ahmad et al., 2021). Implementing AI technology in education enables a level of flexibility and customisation previously unattainable (Sadiku et al., 2021), with its impact on the educational sector continually increasing (Rios-Campos et al., 2023). Universities are taking significant steps to keep pace with technological advancements and harness their educational potential by integrating AI technologies into their educational processes. For instance, the Russell Group universities — a consortium of leading research-focused universities in the United Kingdom — have convened to prepare a declaration on how AI technologies should be utilised by universities and have adopted the following resolutions:[1]
- Universities will facilitate the development of artificial intelligence literacy among their students and staff.
- Academic staff will be equipped to assist students in effectively and appropriately utilizing artificial intelligence tools in their learning experiences.
- Universities will adapt their teaching and assessment methods to support ethical AI usage and equitable access.
- Universities will ensure the maintenance of academic rigor and integrity.
- Universities will collaborate to share best practices in conjunction with the evolution of technology and its applications in education. The approach of completely excluding or banning artificial intelligence technologies from the field of education is far from sustainable, both logically and practically, when considering today’s rapidly advancing technological developments and their potential applications in education. These technologies are emerging as a significant transformative tool in the education field and can potentially enrich learning processes.
It should not be expected that any institution operating in the field of education would object to the five principles adopted by the Russell Group universities. These principles are designed in accordance with the fundamental values and objectives of the education sector and include strategic goals for the development of students and academic staff. However, the lack of detail in the current statements creates uncertainties about how these principles will be implemented in practical application areas. In particular, in the context of design education, the absence of a clear roadmap in terms of concrete application mechanisms and methodologies for these rules may pose significant challenges for practitioners. This requires educators and institutions to develop specific and actionable strategies on how to integrate these principles into their teaching practices and curricula.
The integration of artificial intelligence applications in design education brings about a series of complex issues, both pedagogically and methodologically. In this context, how artificial intelligence technologies should be incorporated into design education needs to be addressed in both theoretical and practical dimensions. This integration should be designed in alignment with learning objectives, student needs, and interdisciplinary interaction. Especially in departments such as graphic design, visual communication, and communication design where visual production is prevalent, it will be inevitable to include artificial intelligence applications in certain course contents. The extent, timing, and manner of such integration remain subjects for debate.
According to one perspective, the first two years of four-year education programs should emphasise fundamental design and theory courses, with training in artificial intelligence applications being offered in the third and fourth years, after students have completed their primary design education. While this proposal initially seems logical, it is based on the current level of advancement in artificial intelligence applications. This line of thought posits that artificial intelligence applications are primarily practical in visualising concepts; however, the generation of the idea remains reliant on human intelligence. Therefore, it is emphasised that basic design and theory courses play a crucial role in developing practical and innovative ideas. Nonetheless, this approach can be criticised for perceiving the contributions of artificial intelligence to design processes as limited to visualisation capabilities. Contemporary artificial intelligence technologies contribute significantly to the visualisation process and aspects of design such as concept development, problem-solving, and creative thinking processes. Although the extent of its success is debatable, chatbots like ChatGPT 4.0 can conduct internet searches, research current design trends, and, with applications like DALL-E that convert text to images, create contemporary designs. The user’s role is to communicate the desired design to these chatbots. The requested item could be a logo, poster, book/magazine cover design, illustration, packaging design, visual production for computer games, or it could be scriptwriting, music production, or photo creation.
For instance, considering a photography course, the capabilities offered by applications like Midjourney may necessitate a reevaluation of course curricula in this field. These applications can produce lifelike photos and offer features such as choosing camera models or lens types, potentially transforming teaching methodologies in introductory photography courses. Such artificial intelligence-supported applications can facilitate the learning of technical skills and the development of aesthetic and artistic aspects. The visuals produced can be artistically evaluated through chatbots. When these chatbots are trained with books on photography theory and practice, they can effectively impart critical thinking and aesthetic evaluation skills to students. This approach offers an alternative to traditional education methods, allowing students to learn and develop their creativity independently through AI-assisted tools and bots. This method provides an environment conducive to individual learning styles and enables more effective self-expression. However, in such a system, the roles of instructors and students need to be redefined. Instructors, focusing on a role of guidance and mentorship, can ensure that students make the best use of AI tools, though such a role may become obsolete in the future.
VOLKAN MENGI
NFTIFY
This article was initially published on NFTIFY.com.tr and has been accurately translated into English by the writer.
Original Article: https://nftify.com.tr/yapay-zeka-uygulamalari-ile-tasarim-egitiminin-gelecegi/
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