A Comparative Study on the Influence of Artificial Intelligence ( <scp>AI</scp> ) on Student Creativity, Learning Outcomes and Attitudes in Product Design Education ( <scp>PDE</scp> )

ABSTRACT AI has been introduced into design courses to enhance student learning outcomes, foster creativity, provide personalised learning support and improve design productivity. This study integrated AI tools as a facilitative aid in a creative product design course, focusing on examining students' learning outcomes and the creativity of their final products by comparing two groups: the T1 experimental group (AI use) and the T2 control group (no AI use). Students' perspectives of using AI were explored. A total number of 77 undergraduate students majoring in product design at a university in China were recruited for the study. The results indicate that the integration of AI tools into the course significantly enhanced students' learning outcomes and the creativity of their final products. Furthermore, students expressed a positive attitude toward using AI in learning and designing, and a willingness to utilise AI in future design work. Challenges and concerns were also highlighted related to AI use for learning and design.