Bring AI to the Design Thinking Process

AI x Design Thinking On-Demand Course

Generative AI is a powerful addition to the design thinking process. But knowing where it fits takes more than a list of tools and tips.

This on-demand, self-paced course gives you IDEO's point of view on where AI strengthens creative work and where it doesn't, grounded in real IDEO projects, practitioner perspectives, and years of design thinking practice. Instead of piecing things together from scattered sources, you get a holistic look at the opportunities and risks in the AI landscape through IDEO’s human-centered perspective.

This course is for anyone at any level who wants to build a grounded point of view on AI. Want to try these ideas live with a facilitator and peers? See the AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series.

Course Outcomes
  • See where AI fits across the design thinking process, grounded in IDEO's human-centered point of view.
  • Build the language and confidence to talk about AI with your team and make more informed decisions about how to implement it.
  • Form your perspective on when and where AI adds the most value, informed by IDEO examples.
  • Balance the utility of AI with your creativity, intuition, and empathy.
  • Leave with a clear sense of how deep you want to go with AI, and the relief of not chasing every new development.
What We Won't Cover
  • Specialized tools for specific domains
  • Extended prompt crafting
Skills You’ll Gain
AI for creative thinking Perspective on AI Practical AI literacy Responsible AI use
Format On-Demand
Start Date Start Anytime*
Quantity
Time 8-10 Hours
Price
$350
$350
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*90-day access from date of purchase.

Save $100 with the AI x Design Thinking Essentials Bundle: Prototyping with AI and AI x Design Thinking workshop or course.

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What You'll Get

Introduction: Overview of Design Thinking with AI

Get oriented to where generative AI fits across the design thinking process, and start reflecting on what role you want it to play in your own work.

Includes: 2 videos, 3 articles, 1 activity

  • Each learning module includes videos, readings, and optional activities. Want the full breakdown? Download the syllabus for all the details.

Activity

  • Explore your relationship with AI and consider how you want to use it in your work.

Lesson 1: Using AI Responsibly

Learn to use AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly by understanding how they work, evaluating their risks, and checking for potential harms and biases. Watch a Mentor Moment with Jenna Fizel, IDEO's Managing Director of Emerging Technology.
Includes: 2 videos, 3 articles, 1 activity

Activity

  • Identify potential risks, bias, and unintended consequences that can arise when using AI.

Lesson 2: Gathering Inspiration with AI

Use AI to expand your sources of creative inspiration while complementing traditional design research methods. Watch Mentor Moments with IDEO Senior Design Director Zach Hobbs and former IDEO Design Researcher Amina Jambo.
Includes: 2 videos, 1 resource, 1 activity

Activity

  • Practice using AI tools to broaden your perspective, explore a topic, and generate questions for further investigation.

Lesson 3: Synthesizing with AI

Use AI to enhance research and synthesis and get to stronger insights while making sure to evaluate and validate AI outputs throughout your process.
Includes: 2 videos, 1 activity

Activity

  • Use AI to help organize your observations, identify patterns, and surface themes. Then use your own judgment to decide what matters most.

Lesson 4: Brainstorming with AI

Use AI to generate a wider range of ideas and push past the obvious ones. Includes Mentor Moments with IDEO Managing Director of Emerging Technology Jenna Fizel and IDEO Designer & Creative Technologist Zoey Zhu.
Includes: 3 videos, 2 resources, 1 activity

Activity

  • Spark fresh ideas from unexpected pairings by leveraging Gen AI's ability to combine unrelated concepts in realistic ways.

Lesson 5: Prototyping with AI

Use AI to bring ideas to life quickly while staying intentional about the design choices behind your prototypes. Includes a Mentor Moment with former IDEO Interaction Designer Takashi Wickes and two IDEO case studies.
Includes: 2 videos, 4 resources, 1 activity

Activity

  • Use AI to create one or more simple concept cards that communicate your idea and invite feedback and discussion.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead to the Future of AI

Explore where AI might be headed, and start shaping your own vision for responsible, human-centered AI use. Includes a Mentor Moment with IDEO Managing Director of Emerging Technology Savannah Kunovsky and one case study.
Includes: 2 videos, 1 resource, 1 activity

Activity

  • Create a short AI practice statement, using AI as a thinking partner, that captures how you plan to use AI responsibly and intentionally in your work.

Deepen Your Learning

Download the Workbook

Get hands-on practice with 7 optional activities to guide your experimentation and reflection.

Revisit Anytime

Move through the material in any order, and come back to any lesson as many times as you'd like within your 90 days of access.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

After completing the course requirements, share your certificate on LinkedIn and add it to your resume.

The IDEO U learning experience is a four-step, research-backed process designed to move you from learning to applying.

Learn more about the IDEO U Learning Experience
Deepen Your Learning

FAQs

Who is this course for?

Anyone who wants a flexible way to understand where AI fits in the design thinking process, whether you're new to design thinking, new to AI, or both. It's a strong starting point if you want to build your perspective and a good option for leaders who want to understand the material before asking their team to engage with it. If you already know you want hands-on practice with peers, our AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series or AI x Design Thinking Certificate may be a better first step.

What's the difference between the AI x Design Thinking Workshop and the Bring AI to the Design Thinking Process On-Demand Course?

Both experiences explore how AI can support the design thinking process through IDEO's human-centered approach, but they offer different ways to learn.

The AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series is a live, beginner-friendly experience where you'll learn through demonstrations, guided practice, and discussion with peers and facilitators. It's designed to help you build confidence using AI by practicing together in real time.

Bring AI to the Design Thinking Process is an on-demand, self-paced course that you can complete on your own schedule. It offers a more independent learning experience with activities and opportunities for individual reflection as you explore how AI can support different stages of the design thinking process.

Choose the experience that best fits your learning style, schedule, and goals.

What skills will I learn?

You'll build perspective on where AI fits across the design thinking process, practical AI literacy, and an understanding of responsible AI use, along with a grounded sense of how AI supports creative thinking. This course is about developing judgment, not just tool skills: knowing when AI helps, and when it doesn't.

How do IDEO U on-demand courses work?

Our on-demand courses are fully online and flexible, so you can take them from any time zone, anywhere in the world. These courses take between 1-10 hours to complete, and you can complete the course any time within 90 days. Courses consist of a series of videos, readings, and activities.

Will there be an instructor or teaching team for feedback?

On-demand courses are flexible courses meant to be completed independently. While you will watch videos from an instructor, there won't be any feedback given on assignments.

If you'd like to take a course where you can get feedback and coaching from our teaching team, check out our cohort courses.

Will I get a certificate after completing a course?

Yes, after completing the course you will receive a certificate of completion. We also have certificate programs that consist of multiple courses. After completing a certificate, you will receive a certificate of completion via email as a downloadable PDF within 1-2 weeks of completing the final required course. Certificates are configured for uploading and sharing on LinkedIn.

I've already taken the Bring AI to the Design Thinking Process on-demand course. Should I also sign up for the AI workshop series as well?

It depends on what you're looking for. Both experiences are grounded in IDEO's human-centered approach, but they're designed for different learning experiences.

The Workshop Series is a live, beginner-friendly experience focused on building confidence through demonstrations, guided practice, and discussion with peers. If you want more hands-on experience trying these AI tools alongside peers and facilitators the Workshop Series may be a great next step.

For people who are new to design thinking and interested in a more in-depth learning experience, the AI x Design Thinking Certificate is your best option.

Here's What Past Learners Have Said

AI x Design Thinking Alumni
AI x Design Thinking Alumni
AI x Design Thinking Alumni
Bring AI to the Design Thinking Process
Self-Paced Course

“It was valuable to practice the IDEO methods with my own tools to see the opportunities and limitations. The tips and tricks were especially useful.”

AI x Design Thinking Alumni
Bring AI to the Design Thinking Process
Self-Paced Course

“An enhanced framework that will help me accelerate the design process in my work for clients.”

AI x Design Thinking Alumni
Bring AI to the Design Thinking Process
Self-Paced Course

"I enjoyed learning about what is possible and really appreciated the ethics portion. Gave a balanced perspective on the limitations of Gen AI."

AI x Design Thinking Alumni

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Enroll As a Team

The practice and application of design thinking, innovation, and creativity is highly collaborative and team based—which is why we believe that learning is better together. Take a course as a team and develop new skills and mindsets, have deeper discussion during course kickoff and debrief sessions, and build a shared understanding.

How to Enroll as a Team

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