AI Insights 2026
Spring 2026
As generative AI takes over the production layer of creative work, what moves to the center? Drawing on insights from more than 100 creative leaders across industries as well as the proceedings of SCAD's 2026 AI Summit and its 48-hour student AI Jam, SCAD AI Insights maps five layers in this paradigm shift: Emergence, Acceleration, Transformation, Foundation, and Horizon. Together, these pillars outline a movement from production toward direction, where creative authority lives. To navigate this new transformation, the skills are interpretive, not executional: judgment, taste, and the ability to hold intention through change are what AI cannot replicate. AI Insights is a road map for a new design mindset.
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SCADask generates timely research at the intersection of commerce, creativity, and culture. With a purpose of educating the public with new insights on trending topics as well as elevating SCAD as the preeminent source of knowledge in the disciplines we teach, SCADask equips external partners to address a wide range of emergent business opportunities. Under the supervision of qualified university leaders, SCADask identifies, formulates, and tackles research questions that are relevant to SCAD disciplines and appealing to a general interest audience. The qualitative and quantitative results and strategic insights produced from SCADask research synthesize existing knowledge from SCAD programs and new research assignments with external partners.
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