How generative AI supports human in conceptual design

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) is a collection of AI technologies that can generate new information such as texts and images. With its strong capabilities, Generative AI has been actively studied in creative design processes. However, limited studies have explored the roles of hu...

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Main Authors: Liuqing Chen, Yaxuan Song, Jia Guo, Lingyun Sun, Peter Childs, Yuan Yin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Design Science
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2053470125000022/type/journal_article
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author Liuqing Chen
Yaxuan Song
Jia Guo
Lingyun Sun
Peter Childs
Yuan Yin
author_facet Liuqing Chen
Yaxuan Song
Jia Guo
Lingyun Sun
Peter Childs
Yuan Yin
author_sort Liuqing Chen
collection DOAJ
description Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) is a collection of AI technologies that can generate new information such as texts and images. With its strong capabilities, Generative AI has been actively studied in creative design processes. However, limited studies have explored the roles of humans and Generative AI in conceptual design processes, which leaves a gap for human–AI collaboration investigation. To address this gap, this study attempts to uncover the contributions of different Generative AI technologies in assisting humans in the conceptual design process. Novice designers were recruited to complete two design tasks in the condition of with or without the assistance of Generative AI. The results revealed that Generative AI primarily assists humans in the problem definition and idea generation stages, while the idea selection and evaluation stage remains predominantly human-led. Additionally, with the assistance of Generative AI, the idea selection and evaluation stages were further enhanced. Based on the findings, we discussed the role of Generative AI in human–AI collaboration and the implications for enhancing future conceptual design support with Generative AI’s assistance.
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spelling doaj-art-be7f1890744f46d9bd8a30aeb5db77d92025-08-20T03:08:20ZengCambridge University PressDesign Science2053-47012025-01-011110.1017/dsj.2025.2How generative AI supports human in conceptual designLiuqing Chen0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9049-0394Yaxuan Song1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2664-4386Jia Guo2Lingyun Sun3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5561-0493Peter Childs4Yuan Yin5College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, ChinaCollege of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, ChinaCollege of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, ChinaCollege of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, ChinaDyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UKDyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UKGenerative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) is a collection of AI technologies that can generate new information such as texts and images. With its strong capabilities, Generative AI has been actively studied in creative design processes. However, limited studies have explored the roles of humans and Generative AI in conceptual design processes, which leaves a gap for human–AI collaboration investigation. To address this gap, this study attempts to uncover the contributions of different Generative AI technologies in assisting humans in the conceptual design process. Novice designers were recruited to complete two design tasks in the condition of with or without the assistance of Generative AI. The results revealed that Generative AI primarily assists humans in the problem definition and idea generation stages, while the idea selection and evaluation stage remains predominantly human-led. Additionally, with the assistance of Generative AI, the idea selection and evaluation stages were further enhanced. Based on the findings, we discussed the role of Generative AI in human–AI collaboration and the implications for enhancing future conceptual design support with Generative AI’s assistance.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2053470125000022/type/journal_article
spellingShingle Liuqing Chen
Yaxuan Song
Jia Guo
Lingyun Sun
Peter Childs
Yuan Yin
How generative AI supports human in conceptual design
Design Science
title How generative AI supports human in conceptual design
title_full How generative AI supports human in conceptual design
title_fullStr How generative AI supports human in conceptual design
title_full_unstemmed How generative AI supports human in conceptual design
title_short How generative AI supports human in conceptual design
title_sort how generative ai supports human in conceptual design
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2053470125000022/type/journal_article
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