Artificial intelligence is transforming the way technical systems are developed. Large Language Models (LLMs), generative AI, and other data-driven methods open up new possibilities for supporting knowledge-intensive activities in product development. For example, they can assist developers in analyzing requirements, generating and exploring solution ideas, modeling technical systems, evaluating alternatives, or planning development activities.

Research at the Chair of Product Development investigates how AI technologies can be integrated into product development processes in a methodologically sound, effective, and responsible manner. The focus is on designing and evaluating approaches that support collaboration between humans and AI and enhance the performance of development processes. In doing so, both the potential and the limitations of AI are analyzed across different phases of product development.

The goal is to develop a scientifically grounded understanding of how AI can support product development and which methods, processes, and tools are necessary to deploy AI as a reliable component of future development systems.

Research at the chair focuses, among other things, on:

• Large language models and generative AI in product development
• AI-supported development methods and assistance systems
• Human-AI collaboration in development processes
• Support for creativity, analysis, and decision-making processes
• Evaluation of the potential, limitations, and impacts of AI in engineering
• Integration of AI into methodological product development processes