In a world facing unprecedented sustainability challenges, can cutting-edge technologies
like Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer solutions? The DETAILLs project, an Erasmus+
initiative, is setting out to prove that they can. With a focus on AI-driven sustainable
design, DETAILLs aims to transform higher education through the development of
innovative curricula and training materials. By integrating AI and sustainability principles
into real-world scenarios, this project leverages a Living Lab model to foster collaboration
between students, educators, and industry professionals.

Engaging Students Through Living Labs

At the heart of DETAILLs is the Living Lab model—a dynamic, collaborative environment
where students, educators, and industry professionals work together to solve real-world
sustainability problems. This model allows students to step outside traditional classrooms
and apply their theoretical knowledge to practical challenges. Whether it’s designing eco-
friendly products or reducing the environmental footprint of AI technologies, the Living
Labs offer a space for innovation, experimentation, and critical thinking.
Students in these labs are not merely passive learners; they are active participants in the
co-creation process. Working alongside industry experts, they learn to integrate AI tools
with sustainable design principles. These experiences are designed to build not only
technical skills but also interdisciplinary and soft skills such as collaboration, empathy, and
critical thinking.

Building on AI for Sustainability

As the DETAILLs project moves forward, significant attention is being paid to how AI can
be harnessed for sustainable development. The project’s desk research has identified
critical skills that students need to thrive in AI-driven sustainability roles. These skills
include understanding AI models, conducting environmental impact assessments, and
designing user-centred prototypes. By mapping these skills to the European Skills,
Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations (ESCO) framework, DETAILLs ensures
that its curriculum is aligned with industry needs and global standards.
One of the key innovations of the project is its focus on generative AI (GenAI). GenAI is
seen as a transformative tool that can help students and professionals explore multiple
design alternatives in real-time, reducing material usage and energy consumption. This
synergy between AI and sustainability is not only forward-thinking but essential as the
world faces increasing pressure to meet environmental targets.
In addition to technical skills, the project emphasizes the importance of ethical AI usage.
This includes understanding the implications of AI technologies on privacy, fairness, and
transparency. In the DETAILLs Living Labs, students are trained to think critically about
these ethical considerations, ensuring that AI solutions are not only effective but also
responsible and inclusive.
As DETAILLs continues to develop, its impact is set to extend beyond higher education,
influencing industry practices and public policy. The integration of AI with sustainability
principles in the Living Labs is more than just an academic exercise—it is a blueprint for
the future. By preparing a new generation of professionals equipped with the skills to
tackle sustainability challenges using AI, DETAILLs is helping to shape a world where
technology and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.