Bridging Black Box and White Box Artificial Intelligence through Sustainability Principles to Enhance Industrial Design Education: An Analytical Study of Egyptian and International Contexts

Abstract



Industrial design curricula are experiencing a profound transition with the incorporation of Black Box AI and White Box AI models, alongside principles of sustainability, Cradle-to-Cradle and Circular Economy. AI tools augment designers' capabilities to rapidly generate prototypes and evaluate complex data. Nevertheless, transparency and interpretability persist as pivotal topics in the discourse surrounding the adoption of black-box models, which utilize complicated algorithms that are challenging to elucidate, in contrast to white-box models that offer a lucid comprehension of decision-making processes. Concurrently, the challenges posed by climate change and the objectives of sustainable development necessitate the integration of circular design principles into educational curricula, indicating a need for adaptable approaches that merge innovative technology with a commitment to environmental and economic responsibility.



This research aims to investigate the potential benefits that industrial design curriculum in academic institutions may derive from the incorporation of artificial intelligence and its two components, Black and White boxes, concerning sustainability. Furthermore, it will examine the methodological framework that connects the Double Diamond model, IDEO's human-centered design methodology, and Systems Design to develop comprehensive teaching content.



This study examines the benefits and challenges of integrating both artificial intelligence paradigms and sustainability principles into industrial design education in Egypt. Employing a cross-sectional survey design via the Qualtrics platform, data were collected from academic staff and student participants across Egyptian universities, supplemented by international comparative case studies. The findings indicate notable gaps in faculty preparedness, infrastructural resources, and the integration of AI within sustainability-focused curricula.



The Research highlights the necessity of balancing innovation, sustainability, and ethics in the incorporation of AI into educational curricula to develop programs that remain technologically relevant and promote sustainable design methodologies. This integration minimizes waste, enhances product quality, and aligns curricula with Industry 4.0 requirements, framing sustainability as the intersection of technological proficiency and environmental accountability.