Integrating AI to Foster Culturally-Oriented Approaches in Design Education: Enhancing Final Assessments for Design Students in Malaysia

This research examine the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fostering culturally-oriented approaches in design education and enhancing final assessments for Design students in higher education in Malaysia. Through qualitative approach involving interviews and focus group discussions, this paper investigates the perceptions of Design students regarding AI’s role in creativity, cultural representation and its potential in the assessment process. The interviews highlighted varying degrees of trust in AI, with participants expressing both optimism about AI’s ability to expand creative possibilities and concerns about its limitations in understanding cultural nuances. The focus groups provided a platform for students to critically evaluate AI-generated and traditional artworks, leading to in-depth discussions on the authenticity and depth of cultural representation by AI. Additionally, participants explored the feasibility of incorporating AI into final assessments, recognizing its potential for consistency and efficiency but stressing the importance of maintaining human oversight, particularly in evaluating culturally sensitive designs. The findings suggest that while AI can enhance design education by offering new tools and perspectives, its integration must be carefully managed to ensure cultural authenticity and maintain the nuanced judgment that human evaluators provide. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of AI in creative industries, offering insights into how AI can be effectively leveraged in design education without compromising cultural integrity.