CE Webinar: AI: From Tool to Condition

This introductory webinar takes a step back from the rapid proliferation of new AI tools to consider AI as a broader shift in the conditions of design and creative practice, influencing how ideas are conceived and developed. It develops practical AI literacy by examining what AI means for designers, what it can accelerate, what it may simplify or overlook, and where human judgment, critical evaluation, and professional accountability remain essential. Whether new to AI or seeking a broader perspective, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of what happens beneath the interfaces of AI tools, how these systems produce and shape outputs, and what their growing presence may mean for the design process.

Presenter: Afshin Ashari, Associate Professor, School of Environmental Design & Rural Development, University of Guelph