ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR ROLE IN FOSTERING CREATIVE THINKING IN DESIGN EDUCATION

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into design education has become increasingly relevant, offering transformative opportunities to enhance creative thinking and innovation. While AI presents powerful tools for ideation and skill development, its role in fostering or constraining creativity remains an open question. This research investigates the impact of AI technologies on the creative capabilities of design students, addressing a critical gap in the structured application of AI within design curricula. This study hypothesizes that AI can significantly enhance creative potential by enabling rapid ideation, expanding conceptual exploration, and automating repetitive design tasks. However, excessive dependence on AI without structured pedagogical guidance may hinder students’ critical thinking and originality. By examining AI’s dual role—both as a facilitator of innovation and as a potential constraint—this research aims to provide a balanced perspective on AI’s implications for design education. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection. Surveys and in-depth interviews with students and educators will assess perceptions of AI’s influence on creativity. Additionally, experimental case studies will analyze AI-driven design exercises to measure cognitive shifts in problem-solving and ideation. Statistical analysis will be conducted to quantify the extent to which AI enhances or inhibits creative thinking. Expected findings suggest that AI can catalyze creative growth when integrated with structured educational frameworks, ensuring a synergy between human ingenuity and machine intelligence. The outcomes o f this study could inform the development of innovative pedagogical models that harness AI’s potential while preserving the fundamental aspects of human-centered creativity.