Workshop explores sustainable design in the age of AI
- Wits University
The workshop gave scholars insights that empowered them to create AI-powered solutions for Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Wits University recently hosted an innovative workshop titled “Design Science in the Age of AI: Sustainable Development and the Digital Transformation,” in October.
More than 50 participants from across Africa attended the opening of the workshop, which was sponsored by the Afretec consortium, the SA-CERN program, and the AI4PEP program of the Canadian IDRC, and endorsed by the US National Academy of Engineering.
The event was opened by prominent academic and governmental figures, including Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at Wits; Dr Glaudina Loots, Director at the Department of Science and Innovation; Professor Thokozani Majozi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; and Professor Conrad Tucker from Carnegie Mellon University.
This hands-on event gathered 25 carefully selected participants, primarily young to mid-career academics, to explore the intersection of engineering, technology, and social responsibility in the context of AI. The goal was to develop sustainable solutions that can drive economic and environmental progress, with a specific focus on Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities in the digital age.
"The workshop was an impressive showcase of methodologies that need to be followed for the design and implementation of AI tools”, said Professor Bruce Mellado from the Wits School of Physics.
A focus on sustainable, AI-driven design
The workshop highlighted design science, which involves the creation of artefacts and systems embedded within social, economic, and environmental contexts. Participants were guided through the entire design process, from identifying pressing issues to creating prototypes and business models that emphasise sustainability and equity.
According to lead organiser Professor Emeritus Panos Y. Papalambros from the University of Michigan, “This workshop goes beyond traditional design thinking. It’s about building real-world solutions that are both innovative and sustainable, ensuring that technology contributes to a more equitable society.”
Over the two-day event, attendees engaged in collaborative team activities, working to define design problems, develop conceptual solutions, and prototype those ideas. The sessions were divided into four parts, covering education and innovation in an African context, an overview of the design process, business planning, and the integration of AI tools to optimise design activities. The projects focused on how AI can drive sustainable development and solve real-world challenges, particularly in areas like infrastructure, health, and business.
Empowering the next generation of innovators
This workshop is part of a broader series of the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) initiatives aimed at linking technology with social considerations to foster entrepreneurship and academic collaboration.
It builds on the momentum of a previous workshop held at Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Kigali earlier this year. That event, endorsed by the US National Academy of Engineering, set the stage for continued exploration of how digital transformation can be leveraged to achieve sustainable development goals.
The Wits workshop aimed to leave a lasting impact on its participants, helping them develop practical skills that can be applied in their academic institutions, research, and start-up ventures. The emphasis on AI tools in design highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of global industries, with participants encouraged to consider both qualitative and quantitative methods in their projects.
Local and international collaboration
A hallmark of the workshop was its emphasis on collaboration among the participants and with leading academics and innovators worldwide The presence of experts from prestigious institutions like Wits, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Michigan underscores the importance of cross-continental cooperation in addressing global challenges.
The workshop’s sponsors, including the Afretec consortium, SA-CERN program, and AI4PEP program of the Canadian IDRC, further highlighted the international support for this initiative. These partnerships are crucial in driving innovations that are not only technologically advanced but also rooted in sustainable and equitable business models.
Looking to the future
During the workshop, participants also participated in interactive sessions designed to push their understanding of how AI can be integrated into the design process. These included exploring how to build business models that support long-term sustainability, considering environmental and social factors.
By the end of the two days, the participants were expected to leave with new insights and potential collaborations, equipped to apply their learning to create AI-powered solutions that address Africa’s most urgent challenges. The workshop’s focus on Africa ensured that the continent is at the forefront of digital innovation, positioning it to leapfrog outdated practices and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability efforts.
This workshop represented a unique opportunity for the next generation of academics, engineers, and innovators to engage with the challenges of our time while shaping a future that is both digitally advanced and socially responsible?.