detaills course
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
FOR SUSTAINABILITY
detaills
DETAILLs (DEsign Tools of Artificial Intelligence in Sustainability Living LabS) is an Erasmus+ project (ID KA220-HED-1785D7F1) that brings together universities, companies, and students to co-create solutions using Generative AI.
Through hands-on challenges and cross-sector collaboration, we aim to explore how this rapidly evolving technology can be applied in ways that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. In February 2024, we launched the Details Living Lab at Via San Martino 3, Pisa — now a central hub for exploring AI and its impact on society.
Course: Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability
Teacher: Prof. Filippo Chiarello
Credits: 6 ECTS
Course delivery mode: Hybrid (asynchronous online activities and in-person sessions)
Course period: I Semester
Language: English
Teaching Platform: Moodle
Prerequisites: None
Exam type: Project work
Registration is open until October 10, 2025.
To register, scroll to page end.
The course Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability offers training on the principles and uses of artificial intelligence to support creativity, critical thinking, and communication with the goal of bringing sustainable innovation in organisations. It integrates the principles of environmental, social, and economic sustainability with advanced AI technologies, in particular Large Language Models. The course is interdisciplinary and is designed for students from different backgrounds. No prior knowledge in AI or Sustainability is required.
It emphasizes ethical responsibility, innovation, and the practical application of AI in design and innovation. The course promotes critical thinking about the role of AI in responsible and inclusive innovation. At the end of the course, students will collaborate with organisations to address real challenges related to AI and sustainability. Partner organizations propose real-world challenges that student teams will tackle collaboratively. The resolution of these challenges will represent the final exam project: an applied project that combines technical skills, critical thinking, and innovative solutions.
Course Structure
The course has a total duration of 60 hours, divided into 30 hours of lectures (6 hours in-person) and 30 hours of practical application (3 hours in-person). The lectures are delivered in an asynchronous online format via the Moodle platform, with the 9 in-person hour, divided in 3 meetings.
You can find the full program here.
Below is a brief overview of each module.
- Module 1 – Foundations of generative AI in sustainable design: introduces AI fundamentals and explores their ethical and sustainable applications.
- Module 2 – Advanced AI-driven design methods: focuses on advanced AI tools for data analysis, modelling, and design optimization.
- Module 3 – Application of AI-driven sustainable design methods: emphasizes practical AI applications for eco-innovation and resource efficiency.
- Module 4 – Project management and real-world applications: guides students in managing real-world AI-driven design projects.
Participants are required to complete the first two modules before the second in-person meeting, and the third and fourth modules before the third meeting.
The in-person meetings are scheduled as follows:
- October 15, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM – Course introduction, first introductory lecture, and formation of work groups.
- November 19, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM – Presentation of materials for tackling the challenges: this session will explain the steps and workflow to follow in order to address the challenge, i.e., how to structure and develop the final exam project. Presentation of challenges by partner organisations, including a Q&A session and confirmation of work groups.
- December 18, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM – Final plenary session: students will present their final exam projects to partner companies and faculty members. Those who haven’t completed their projects yet are still encouraged to attend, as they can receive valuable feedback from companies and professors, and gain inspiration by watching their peers’ presentations.
Credits and Exam
The course is worth 6 ECTS credits. Recognition of the credits as curricular is subject to the regulations of each student’s degree program and must be approved by their program.
The final exam consists of a group project based on a challenge proposed by partner companies. The project represents the exam paper and must demonstrate the students’ ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course to develop an innovative, sustainable solution supported by Artificial Intelligence. The assessment of the project will be expressed in thirtieths and will refer to the group project, but with the possibility of an oral exam for personal assessment (if required by the student).
Contact