Can AI enhance creativity in vocational education? Our research explores how next-gen generative tools shape creative learning in Swiss VET.
This project investigated the role of generative AI in creative education, focusing on how advanced diffusion models can enhance vocational training. Building on prior work with generative.fashion, we developed a more powerful AI-driven tool to support fashion design apprentices. Through user studies, we examined how these tools impact creative workflows, gathering insights to refine their integration into educational settings. The project also extended its scope to broader creative education contexts, securing additional funding to explore AI’s role in higher arts education (HKB).
The project successfully demonstrated that generative AI tools, can enhance creative learning experiences. User studies confirmed that incorporating advanced diffusion models improved both content quality and usability, addressing prior limitations. Based on apprentice feedback, we developed an improved iPad application tailored for educational use. The project culminated in a publication at CHI 2025, solidifying its contributions to research on AI in education. Additionally, the project’s success has paved the way for further studies in higher arts education, expanding its impact beyond vocational training.
To ensure the practical impact of our findings, we closely collaborated with key educational partners, Carmen Hostettler (BBZ) and Carmen Herren (IDM), facilitating continuous knowledge exchange and integrating insights into vocational training practices. By demonstrating how generative AI can enhance creative confidence and design outcomes, the project provided a foundation for embedding AI-driven tools into art and design education.
Building on these insights, we successfully secured funding for the HDT application *»Enhancing the Design and Development Process in Art Education through Generative AI»*, launched in Autumn 2024. This initiative extends our research into higher arts education, translating our findings into broader pedagogical applications.
