The University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) launched a faculty professional development initiative in spring 2026 as part of a broader AI literacy framework, equipping instructors to prepare students for artificial intelligence's growing role in creative fields. The program emphasizes peer-to-peer learning and hands-on practice, reflecting a strategy to embed AI across design, architecture, art, and planning education.
The framework goes beyond tool training to focus on AI literacy-the critical thinking, ethical awareness, and domain-specific knowledge creatives need to work with AI responsibly. It organizes efforts around three communities: students, faculty, and professionals seeking lifelong learning. Three engagement levels-guiding AI (strategy, training, resources), critical AI (ethics, inspiration, implications), and materializing AI (applied, embedded practice)-connect research, pedagogy, co-op, micro-credentials, and faculty recruitment into a coordinated approach.
Peer-to-peer model taps existing expertise
The first faculty workshop combined short presentations with breakout sessions where instructors could experiment with AI workflows directly. Organizers called it horizontal learning-a method that values the AI applications faculty are already developing in their own classrooms and research labs.
"We wanted to begin with horizontal learning, where faculty learn from one another," said DAAP Dean Stephanie Pilat. "Our faculty are already exploring thoughtful and innovative applications of AI in the classroom. By sharing those experiences, we're building a collaborative culture that helps the entire college move forward together."
AI applications span 3D modeling, local LLMs, and spatial design
D.J. Trischler demonstrated custom classroom tools built with Claude, including Design Check for evaluation and Sketch Tool for ideation. Faculty interested in experimenting with Claude can visit Anthropic's website for more details. Ali Ilhan and Henry Levesque showed locally hosted AI workflows for text, images, video, and code, highlighting privacy-conscious approaches using local large language models. Caroline Anderson presented a pipeline that turns images into editable 3D models, ready for refinement in Blender. Ming Tang, drawing on research from DAAP's XR Lab, outlined the current state of AI in spatial design, covering advances in spatial reasoning and human-centered environments.
A strategic framework for the whole college
The faculty workshop is one piece of a larger effort that will expand through vertical learning-bringing in recognized experts from industry and academia to share emerging practices and deepen faculty expertise. The framework positions DAAP to shape how AI is integrated into creative education, research, and practice rather than simply reacting to technological change.
Why this matters for creatives
For designers, architects, artists, and planners, DAAP's initiative signals that AI literacy is becoming a baseline skill, not a niche specialization. The peer-to-peer model shows that professionals can build AI competency by sharing knowledge within their own teams and networks. Structured learning resources like AI for Creatives can complement that informal learning with formal training on tools and ethical frameworks.
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