Design Thinking for AI (DT4AI)
DT4AI is an Erasmus+-project that equips higher education lecturers with a modular teaching programme that combines design thinking and applied AI to nurture AI skills and human-centered digital innovation across Europe.
Factsheet
- Schools involved Business School
- Institute(s) Institute for Digital Technology Management
- Research unit(s) Projektmanagement
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Humane Digital Transformation"
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.10.2025 - 30.09.2027
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Jennifer Hehn
- Project staff Olivier Marti
- Keywords Design Thinking for AI (DT4AI), artificial intelligence (AI), AI competence, human-centered digital innovation, benefit-centered problem solving, interdisciplinary teaching, modular teaching programme
Situation
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the economy, society and higher education. Institutions of higher education are faced with the challenging task of not only equipping students with technical AI skills, but also enabling them to solve problems in a human-centered, ethically reflective and innovation-oriented way. The Erasmus+-project “Design Thinking for AI (DT4AI)” is developing a modular, scalable teaching programme that combines AI skills with design thinking as an established method of user-centered innovation. A central component of the project is the development of a modular platform for DT4AI learning content. It enables the continuous expansion and updating of the offer, including ready-to-use teaching materials, a best practice manual, subject-specific case studies and video-based training modules, thus ensuring long-term relevance and sustainable benefits beyond the project phase. The project is supported by the University of Liechtenstein, the University of Münster, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Aalto University and Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH). The Swiss sub-project funded by “movetia” and coordinated by BFH acts as a co-developer and local adaptor, thereby strengthening the country's innovative capacity, digital skills and interdisciplinary teaching and helping to ensure that Switzerland remains one of the world's leading innovation locations in the future.
Course of action
Between 2025 and 2027, the consortium will transform the DT4AI concept into a comprehensive, digitised learning programme. In the development phase, learning materials and a best-practice manual will be created in close coordination with the participating institutions based on internal experience, supplemented by subject-specific case studies (e.g. from production, finance and healthcare) and video-based training modules. During a pilot phase, the content will be tested throughout Europe, validated and, if necessary, adapted to user needs. Finally, a digital platform will be set up on which all learning content will be made available, supplemented by networking and dissemination activities. BFH will contribute its expertise in project-based learning and applied research and integrate Swiss educational approaches into the DT4AI handbook. It will translate the teaching materials into German, develop practical case studies with Swiss business partners and pilot selected content in Bachelor's and Master's degree courses, incorporating feedback into the further development of the programme. In addition, BFH will disseminate the results via networks, conferences, workshops and the open-access platform in order to promote visibility and knowledge exchange.
Result
After completion of the project, a modular platform for DT4AI learning content will be available to the public, aimed in particular at higher education lecturers and students. Ready-to-use teaching materials (including slide sets and didactic notes), a best-practice handbook for teachers, subject-specific case studies, video-based training modules for teachers and students and a digital knowledge platform will be made available. DT4AI is designed in such a way that it can be used in various disciplines - such as economics, social sciences and public administration - without requiring advanced programming skills or special technical infrastructure. This makes it particularly suitable for non-technical degree programmes that want to integrate AI-related content in a structured and practical way. A central element of the project is targeted support for teachers. In addition to purely student materials, DT4AI provides methods and resources for designing and conducting AI-focused innovation projects safely and competently. Peer exchange, co-creation formats and collaboration with practice partners strengthen the application-oriented approach and the sustainable impact of the program.
