Exploring the Impact of Generative AI for Sustainable Design Education: Developing and Evaluating an AI-Assisted Pedagogical Model

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping design education by facilitating design workflow and enhancing students’ creativity. However, its application in sustainable design education remains underexplored. This research develops an AI-assisted pedagogical model to examine how generative AI tools can support students’ learning and practice in sustainable design. The model incorporates the EcoDesign Strategy Wheel within the Double Diamond design framework, with generative AI tools providing support during critical stages of the design process. A five-week project-based course involving 24 undergraduate students was conducted to generate quantitative and qualitative insights into the effectiveness of the teaching model and students’ learning experiences. The results suggest that generative AI tools can effectively support various aspects of sustainable design practice, including research, concept generation, material selection, energy use, and distribution consideration. This study further reveals that generative AI helps students rapidly acquire complex interdisciplinary knowledge and develop systems thinking in sustainable design. However, it also poses challenges such as excessive reliance and limited understanding of local cultural contexts. This study provides theoretical and practical support for applying generative AI in sustainable design education, contributing to broader discussions on AI-driven pedagogical innovation.