Fostering Engineering Design Self-Efficacy and Problem-Solving Skills in the Era of Generative AI: Insights from an Exploratory Workshop

Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that emphasizes user-focused observation, diverse idea generation, and iterative solution optimization. In this exploratory research, we investigate the role of fostering design thinking and problem-solving skills among undergraduate students on their engineering design self-efficacy, problem-solving approach, and use of GenAI. A workshop on engineering design and problem-solving skills was conducted for 70 students. Results indicated a significant improvement in students’ engineering design self-efficacy post-workshop. There was also a significant decrease in students’ tendency to use GenAI to assist them in problem-solving and students favored systematic engineering design practices over merely incorporating suggestions from AI. The findings suggest that in addition to advancing GenAI and promoting AI literacy, training students on engineering design could be promising to help them engage with AI as a supplementary tool rather than a primary source of solution, thereby helping them incorporate AI meaningfully in problem-solving.