Project Details
Description
An affordance is a design intention that guides user behaviour. It allows a designer to understand how to interact with an object or system. In the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and engineering design, AI affords a designer with greater data visualisations, design optimisations, predictive maintenance and smart products. Affordances bridge the gap between technical capabilities and practical user behaviour. By making AI technologies intuitive, transparent, and empowering, we can unlock their potential to drive a transition towards a circular economy, where resources are used efficiently, and waste is minimised.
As engineering designers begin to explore the potential of AI, they provide examples of appropriate and inappropriate use of AI throughout the design process. This project will work with established data sets, and company contacts in industry to build an understanding of the the state-of-the-art knowledge of engineering industry on the use of AI. Through the lens of sustainable engineering practices, which themselves have a vast dataset of standards and requirements, the Intern will be challenged with simplifying the design for sustainability process using AI. This may come in the form of guidance, or a prototype tool to demonstrate the possibilities.
As engineering designers begin to explore the potential of AI, they provide examples of appropriate and inappropriate use of AI throughout the design process. This project will work with established data sets, and company contacts in industry to build an understanding of the the state-of-the-art knowledge of engineering industry on the use of AI. Through the lens of sustainable engineering practices, which themselves have a vast dataset of standards and requirements, the Intern will be challenged with simplifying the design for sustainability process using AI. This may come in the form of guidance, or a prototype tool to demonstrate the possibilities.
Key findings
Project Objectives:
1. Build an understanding of AI affordances through academic literature.
2. Engage with industry on real world practice and challenges
3. Develop guidance and/or a demonstration of AI’s suitability to overcome systemic engineering challenges through the Lense of sustainability.
1. Build an understanding of AI affordances through academic literature.
2. Engage with industry on real world practice and challenges
3. Develop guidance and/or a demonstration of AI’s suitability to overcome systemic engineering challenges through the Lense of sustainability.
| Status | Finished |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 2/06/25 → 22/08/25 |
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