UNESCO Creative Cities Design Forum in Shanghai Focuses on AI and Design
On September 28, 2026, the UNESCO Creative Cities Design Forum took place in Shanghai during the World Design Cities Conference. The event emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence in design to enhance cultural and creative development. Seventeen speakers from 30 cities discussed best practices and the ethical implications of AI in cultural contexts. The forum also highlighted a 'Call for Good Practice Cases' initiated to encourage responsible innovation and knowledge sharing among participants.
On September 28, 2026, Shanghai hosted the UNESCO Creative Cities Design Forum as part of the broader World Design Cities Conference. Exploring the theme "When AI Meets Design: Challenge and Practice," the forum examined how artificial intelligence and design can together drive cultural and creative growth. The UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization co-hosted the event, which brought together 17 speakers from 30 cities and 11 countries. These experts shared perspectives on how AI might be harnessed to build sustainable urban futures and provide richer cultural experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Much of the discussion centered on the inaugural cycle of the "Call for Good Practice Cases: When AI Meets Design," an initiative launched in May 2026. The project identifies successful examples of AI being used alongside design to encourage learning, sustainability, and social inclusion. The selected cases represent work from 15 countries and 40 cities, touching on fields as diverse as design education, visitor experiences, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Opening the proceedings, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, emphasized that technological progress must remain ethical and centered on human needs. This set the tone for participants to share their hands-on experiences with AI-enabled design and the hurdles of innovating responsibly. The dialogue reached past technical specifications to consider how cultural context, community involvement, and educational structures shape the way AI is applied in the real world.
Presenting the selected Good Practice Cases allowed for deeper conversation between designers, university researchers, and various institutional stakeholders. Beyond these specific exchanges, the forum served as a platform for learning that helped bridge the gaps between design, creativity, and urban development. Shanghai has been a UNESCO Creative City of Design since 2010, and this event reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation and design-led innovation. By hosting the forum, the city continues to establish itself as a leader in the practical integration of AI within the creative arts.
The 2026 Call for Good Practice Cases is the first step in a multi-year effort to build knowledge and encourage collaboration on ethical AI. Moving forward, UNESCO and its partners intend to document new methods and nurture a growing community dedicated to culturally grounded, inclusive design. Through these ongoing efforts, they hope to strengthen the creative and cultural sectors on a global scale, ensuring that the intersection of technology and design remains productive and responsible.
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