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 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 Resources from IDEO

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.

IDEO 2024 AI Research, IDEO (Research)

Businesses using AI saw a 2.4% increase in growth and 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—ChatGPT is 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 AI and Design Thinking 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.