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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Please note that all times are shown in the time zone of the conference. The current conference time is: 18th Apr 2026, 04:03:32pm CEST

Agenda Overview

Session

D2-P: Plenary Session 2

Time:

Tuesday, 19/May/2026:

2:00pm - 2:45pm

Session Chair: Stanko Škec, University of Zagreb FSB, Croatia

Location: Conference Hall Ragusa

FROM DATA TO DESIGN: RETHINKING ENGINEERING DESIGN WITH NEXT-GEN AI

Dr Faez Ahmed

Associate Professor, Doherty Chair of Ocean Utilization, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Session Abstract

Generative AI is transforming how we create, customize, and accelerate digital content. Yet applying these tools to engineering design introduces unique challenges, from maintaining precision under evolving requirements to working effectively in data-scarce environments and interpreting designer intent. In this talk, I will discuss these challenges and show how emerging engineering-focused foundation models are beginning to address them, reshaping workflows in areas such as vehicle design, CAD automation, and design optimization. I will highlight new opportunities enabled by generative AI that integrates multimodal data with engineering analysis and optimization, and present examples of AI-driven design co-pilots for complex engineering tasks. The talk will conclude with a forward-looking perspective on how AI can broaden design democratization, accelerate innovation cycles, and fundamentally reshape the role of engineers in the decade ahead.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Dr Faez Ahmed is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, where he leads the DeCoDE Lab. His research focuses on AI for engineering design, including generative models, multimodal representations, and human–AI collaboration. His work has been recognized with the NSF CAREER Award, ASME DAC and DTM Young Investigator Awards, the Google Research Scholar Award, and the Amazon Research Award.