World Design Cities Conference on AI in design opens in Shanghai — ECNS

The World Design Cities Conference 2026 has opened in Shanghai, China, focusing on design using artificial intelligence. The event is held under the theme “Design Without Borders, Quality Through Intelligence” and is co-organized by the Shanghai municipal government and UNESCO, ECNS reports.

Recognition for Dava Newman

Dava Newman, Apollo Professor of Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, received the Frontier Design Prize 2026 Award for Outstanding Contribution. She previously headed the MIT Media Lab.

Newman said that generative artificial intelligence can enhance human creativity as technology and design become increasingly closely integrated.

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AI in industrial design

Artificial intelligence is also being used in industrial design. Automaker SAIC Motor used such tools in developing IM Motors vehicles to combine styling solutions with aerodynamic efficiency. The company combined simulation and optimization to reduce the time needed to refine aerodynamics.

More than 2,000 entries from over 10 countries were submitted to this year’s global Shanghai Design 100+ competition. The competition’s annual awards were presented during the conference. The event will continue until Wednesday and will include exhibitions and forums dedicated to artificial intelligence, sustainable design, and other areas.