Innovative solutions to fashion’s biggest problems – the impact of artificial intelligence on solutions for Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 12. A case study from London College of Fashion

Purpose
This study aims to explore the use of artificial intelligence in higher education, specifically looking at teaching and learning within seminars. We present a case study which explores the application of Generative AI tools within the fashion futures unit, an innovative unit that is part of BSc Fashion Management at London College of Fashion.

Design/methodology/approach
The research is a case study on fashion futures; the unit has four new Gen-AI integrations that have been developed to support the students' understanding of Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 12 and the process of creating an innovative concept related to solving sustainability problems in fashion. Using ethnographic research, the study combined observation with focus groups and short reflective surveys.

Findings
The results show that by providing taught content and AI tool seminar activities, students feel more confident in using AI tools for brainstorming and literature searches. However, there were remaining concerns as to understanding the ethical implications of their AI use and acceptable use in different units of study.

Originality/value
The study uses extant theories on AI in education and learnings from this action research to demonstrate the effectiveness of AI tools in understanding, innovation development and critical analysis. The research expands the limited publications on management education and fulfils requests for increased rigour within emerging AI in education research.