Throughout the 2025 Academic Year, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture organized a series of academic seminars under the theme “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Architecture”. Led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceren Boğaç from the department, the seminar series explored the educational, ethical, and design-related implications of artificial intelligence in architecture through a comprehensive and multidimensional approach.
“An Introduction to Research, Education and Design” seminar, the first session of the series, was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceren Boğaç and provided an in-depth discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in academic research, its influence on student participation, its role in creative practices, and its ethical considerations. Attended by research assistants and postgraduate students, the session offered a collaborative examination of the present and future impact of artificial intelligence on the architectural discipline.
The following sessions, entitled “Artificial Intelligence in Architecture: Research and Education Foundations” and “Artificial Intelligence in Architecture: Design,” focused on how artificial intelligence is employed as a research tool in architecture, its role in literature reviews and data analysis, and the emerging discussions it has introduced within the context of academic ethics. Joined by the EMU Department of Interior Architecture, the seminars also addressed the influence of generative AI on design workflows, its connection to sustainability objectives, and its transformative impact on creative decision-making processes.
The series’ session dedicated to students took place on 22 December 2025 and was titled “Artificial Intelligence for Architecture Students: Studio Skills and the Practice of the Future”. The seminar explored, through practical examples, how artificial intelligence can be integrated into studio projects, design development, and visualization processes, while also aiming to build students’ critical awareness of the boundaries, potential risks, and ethical responsibilities of AI-supported design.
In her remarks on the seminar series, EMU Faculty of Architecture academic staff member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceren Boğaç noted that artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly prominent in architectural practice and education. She continued; “Rather than focusing solely on how we use these tools, it is crucial to consider how we situate ourselves in relation to them. The primary aim of launching this series was to view artificial intelligence not just as a short-lived trend that enhances productivity, but as a pedagogical domain that calls for critical engagement, ethical sensitivity, and AI literacy”.
In her speech, Prof. Dr. Rafooneh M. Sani, Chair of Department of Architecture, stated that the seminar series serve as an important learning environment that supports creative and critical thinking in architecture education. She added; “The seminars go beyond simple knowledge sharing, helping to broaden the intellectual perspectives of our students and faculty members. Our department will continue to regard technology not merely as an instrument, but as a pedagogical force that plays a key role in shaping the future of architecture.”
In the upcoming phases of the seminar series, undergraduate students are expected to take a more active role through workshop-based activities, while the discussions will be carried forward from a wider educational perspective.
