Comprehensive Guide to AI and Design Thinking Resources for Leaders

Artificial intelligence (AI) and design thinking are two transformative tools that can help leaders solve complex problems, build future-ready skills, and inspire their teams to think bigger and work smarter.

But how can AI and design thinking work together to fuel creativity and innovation? And with so many resources out there, where do you start?

We’ve curated a list of design thinking and AI learning resources, including books, articles, podcasts, and courses to help you explore the intersection of AI and design thinking, with an emphasis on creativity, innovation, and actionable insights for leaders. Whether you’re new to these topics or looking to deepen your knowledge, we hope these resources will spark ideas and give you tools to bring back to your team.

Best AI Learning Resources from IDEO U

AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series, IDEO U (Online Course)

A live workshop series on how and when to use AI during the design thinking process. Learn how to harness the power of generative AI to enhance your idea generation, research synthesis, and prototyping skills.

The Role of Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI, IDEO U (Article & Podcast)

Tim Brown, chair of IDEO and Leading for Creativity course instructor, shares his unique perspective on leading through times of disruption, how leaders and businesses can bolster themselves in the age of AI, and the role of creativity in imagining and creating the futures we want.

Humanistic AI: Merging Technology with Human-Centered Ethics and Skills, IDEO U (Article & Podcast)

Tom Gruber, product designer, entrepreneur, and co-creator of Siri, shares critical skills to get the most out of AI, why AI needs human-centered design, and the ethics of using AI tools.

AI x Creativity: Insights from Google DeepMind and IDEO, IDEO U (Article & Podcast)

Matthieu Lorrain, Creative Lead for AI and Creativity at Google DeepMind, and Savannah Kunovsky, IDEO’s Managing Director of Emerging Technology, explore how AI is reshaping what it means to be creative and how creative professionals can get the most from AI.

Matthieu Lorrain, Creative Lead for AI and Creativity at Google DeepMind, and Savannah Kunovsky, IDEO’s Managing Director of Emerging Technology, explore how AI is reshaping what it means to be creative and how creative professionals can get the most from AI.

IDEO 2024 AI Research, IDEO (Research)

Businesses using AI saw a 2.4% increase in growth and a 0.24% reduction in costs as a result, demonstrating that the greatest benefits of AI adoption come from driving growth, rather than cutting costs.

The Intersection of Design Thinking and AI: Enhancing Innovation, IDEO U (Article)

We believe that human creativity will continue to play a crucial role as AI evolves. IDEO U created this guide to explore how to use AI in your design thinking process and the potential of AI to help us solve complex problems.

Your AI Questions, Answered, IDEO (Article)

IDEO’s Emerging Tech Lab responds to questions about AI from Creative Confidence Podcast listeners. Get our take on the relationship between AI and creativity, how leaders can implement new technologies effectively, and how to keep up with emerging tech.

Prototyping at the Speed of AI: Methods for testing product value with Gen Z, IDEO (Article)

The ways Gen Z is using AI are evolving almost as fast as the technology itself. To monitor how use cases have shifted over time, we developed a social listening tool to scrape AI hashtags on TikTok, creating a visualization of conversations and communities.

How AI Personalities Can Transform the Data Experience, IDEO (Article)

At IDEO, we believe that designers should understand and intentionally integrate emotion into data analysis tools. In this article, we explore the role of personality in AI systems and what that might look like in practice.

5 Takeaways From TED AI 2024, IDEO (Article)

The biggest theme: The urgency for bringing human-centered design to AI is only getting stronger.

AI Needs an Ethical Compass. This Tool Can Help., IDEO (Tool)

A downloadable set of cards, including four design principles and ten activities, that can help guide an ethically responsible, culturally considerate, and humanistic approach to designing with data.

A Legal and Ethical Framework For Gen AI, IDEO (Tool)

A free downloadable PDF outlining legal and ethical considerations when using generative AI. Included are suggestions to mitigate risk while encouraging experimentation.

5 Ways We're Using AI at Work, IDEO (Article)

For anyone whose day job involves creating things—proposals or presentations that require fact-finding, writing, imagery, and video, generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are changing how we make stuff. Here are five ways IDEO is using AI to evolve our creative process, plus a list of AI tools we like for each application.

AI Is Already Reshaping Healthcare, IDEO (Article)

IDEO explores key applications of AI in healthcare, including enabling close observation and enhanced empathy. Find inspiration in specific tools and examples. A key consideration: How might AI affect patient and provider experiences?

Why It's Important to Say Please and Thank You to Robots, IDEO (Article)

A story about how the design of AI, no matter how small a role it might play in our lives, has implications beyond its intended use—and can even influence the culture of an entire organization.

The Rules of Brainstorming Change When Artificial Intelligence Gets Involved. Here’s How, IDEO (Article)

Recent advances in machine learning have created a new catalyst for design

More Design Thinking and AI Learning Resources 

These are the people, podcasts, and publishers IDEOers turn to to explore the frontiers of AI and stay inspired.

Design Thinking in the Age of AI, Harvard Business Review, (Article)

This article highlights how design thinking principles can be used to integrate AI into business processes, offering practical examples for leaders.

Why Thinking of AI as a "Partner" Can Be Counterproductive, TIME (Article)

Broadly speaking, the language we currently use to describe AI tends to fall into one of four categories: master, partner, assistant, and tool. To choose the right one, leaders should look at the type of relationship each implies between humans and AI.

Human-Centered AI, Ben Shneiderman (Book)

Professor Ben Shneiderman offers an optimistic realist's guide to how artificial intelligence can be used to augment and enhance humans' lives.

You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How AI Works and Why It’s Making the World a Weirder Place, Janelle Shane (Book)

This approachable, humorous book about AI demystifies the technology while showcasing its creative and quirky possibilities. It’s an inspiring read for leaders looking to understand how AI can enhance creativity and problem-solving.

AI for Humans: Artificial Intelligence Made Fun and Simple (Podcast)

An engaging, hour-long podcast that demystifies the latest AI technology for everyday people, showcasing groundbreaking tools that will transform your creative pursuits. Each episode features hands-on demos and practical tips for trying out the tech yourself.

The Neuron (Newsletter)

Regular updates on AI trends, tools, and how-to's you need to know to stay ahead of the curve. Use the website’s tool finder to match AI tools to your business needs.

Take Your AI x Design Thinking Practice Further with IDEO U

If you're ready to move from inspiration to application, deepen your skills in our live online AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series. Learn how to integrate generative AI tools into each stage of the design thinking process from research synthesis to rapid prototyping, while keeping creativity and ethics at the core.

Frequently Asked Questions About AI x Design Thinking Resources

What are the best resources to learn about AI and design thinking?

Start with this AI x Design Thinking resource guide, which curates online workshops, podcasts, and articles exploring how AI and human-centered design intersect. Courses like AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series provide hands-on experience applying generative AI to real-world design challenges.

How can AI resources support my design thinking practice?

AI tools and resources can accelerate idea generation, research synthesis, and prototyping. For example, IDEO U’s article The Intersection of Design Thinking and AI explains how to blend technology with creativity to improve innovation outcomes. Using AI ethically and strategically can enhance, not replace, human creativity.

How do I choose the best AI x design thinking resources — and how often should I update them?

Because AI evolves rapidly, resources can quickly become outdated. Look for courses and tools from credible organizations like IDEO U, Harvard Business Review, and Google DeepMind, which regularly update their insights. Prioritize sources that focus on both practical applications and ethical considerations to stay relevant and responsible as AI advances.

Are there beginner-friendly AI and design thinking courses?

Yes. IDEO U’s AI x Design Thinking Workshop Series and the AI x Design Thinking Course are built for all experience levels, teaching participants how to use AI tools for each stage of the design process, from research to rapid prototyping, without needing a technical background. It’s a great starting point for leaders, innovators, and creative professionals.

What tools can help me apply AI ethically in design work?

IDEO’s tools, like AI Needs an Ethical Compass and A Legal and Ethical Framework for Gen AI, provide structured exercises and principles for applying AI responsibly. These resources help teams balance innovation with accountability, ensuring that human-centered values remain core to their creative process.

Where can I find ongoing insights and updates about AI and creativity?

Tune in to the Creative Confidence Podcast for interviews with thought leaders in AI, design, and innovation, or follow newsletters like The Neuron for weekly updates on new AI tools and trends. These sources help you stay inspired and informed as technology and its creative potential continue to evolve.

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