Revolutionising costume design education: a case study on the impact of Microsoft Copilot

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the role of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Microsoft Copilot, in enhancing costume design education. It focuses on the tool’s impact on student creativity, technical skills and educational quality assurance. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopted a qualitative approach, drawing insights from interviews with students and educators, along with observations from a costume design course. Thirty students and three educators participated, with the study focusing on how AI-assisted tools influenced learning outcomes, creativity and the integration of AI into traditional design methods. Findings The authors discovered that Microsoft Copilot allowed students to quickly generate and refine their design concepts, which boosted both their efficiency and creativity. However, the authors found that some students became overly reliant on AI-generated designs, highlighting the need to balance AI with traditional design practices. The authors also emphasised the importance of providing technical support to help students effectively use AI tools in the classroom. Research limitations/implications Their study focused on a single cohort in one educational setting, which may limit the generalisability of its findings. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of AI on creativity and explore strategies to minimise over-reliance on AI-generated designs. Originality/value Their research provides valuable insights into the integration of AI in creative fields, particularly in costume design education. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on using AI to enhance learning outcomes while safeguarding individual creativity and essential artistic skills.