We are thrilled to celebrate the successful conclusion of our first joint project-based learning course of the GenAID project! The final event, held in collaboration with our industry partner Akrapovič, showcased the innovative power of combining student creativity with Generative AI.

The Challenge Student teams were tasked with a real-world industrial problem: developing concepts to improve scrap material management. Their mission was to devise solutions for:

• Classification and separation of different scrap types
• Removal of contaminations from scrap material
• Efficient handling, storage, and volume reduction of scrap
• Integration of new solutions into existing production and logistics

To tackle this complex challenge, students were introduced to various GenAI tools within a structured framework, a core goal of the GenAID project. They learned to leverage AI for specific stages of product development:

• LLMs for Context Building: To analyze the problem and synthesize requirements.
• Text2Image for Ideation: To quickly generate and explore a variety of creative concepts.
• Text2Geometry for Visualization: To create early virtual prototypes of their proposed solutions.

The event culminated in final presentations where student teams presented their innovative concepts directly to experts from Akrapovič, receiving invaluable industrial feedback. This experience provides students with essential skills for AI-driven industries and strengthens the bridge between academia and industry.

Furthermore, the data collected on how students used these tools is crucial for our research. Analyzing which tools were most effective helps us refine our educational methodology and contributes to a deeper understanding of AI's role in engineering education.