Dhahran, May 2, 2025 (4 Dhul Qadah 1446 AH)

The third edition of the Academic Forum for Architecture and Design opened today in Dhahran, organized by the Architecture and Design Commission under the theme "Technology for Innovation in Architecture and Design Education." The two-day forum is held at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), with the participation of leading academics and specialists in architecture and design from inside and outside the Kingdom.

The forum underscores the importance of continuous development in academic teaching methods and bridging the gap between professional and academic practice, offering a scientific platform that brings together researchers, designers and professional practitioners to exchange expertise and review global best practices in architecture and design.

AI and Modern Technologies at the Heart of the Discussions

The forum's first day focused on themes centered on integrating scientific research with applied practice, and on applications of artificial intelligence and the metaverse as tools supporting educational programs and the analysis of design projects, alongside a discussion of virtual-reality tools such as Unreal Engine and ChatGPT and their role in shifting the education experience from theory to real interaction.

Toward Creative Education in the Age of AI

The forum's second day spotlighted the future of creative education, through themes such as technology-based learning, innovative experimentation, the ethics of AI use, and computational design and digital fabrication. The forum also examined strategic partnerships and the restructuring of architectural knowledge in ways that boost innovation and the integration of education and application.

A National Competition to Support Innovative Education

The events included the announcement of the second edition of the "Architecture and Design Education Competition 2025-2026," which aims to stimulate academic creativity, develop teaching methods that keep pace with the sector's evolution, and present applicable, scalable educational models, in line with the commission's goals of supporting and developing educational and artistic talent.

The forum builds on a series of successes achieved by previous editions, which addressed pivotal issues in developing academic education in architecture and design and shaping a sustainable, creative future for this vital sector.