AI as a Driver of Innovation 2026 #2

AI as a Driver of Innovation is a professional network where companies from the fashion, furniture, and design industries come together to explore how artificial intelligence can be translated into real business value.

Through cases, knowledge sharing, and dialogue, participants gain insight into how AI can strengthen branding, product development, e-commerce, customer journeys, and decision-making processes.

The network is run by Lifestyle and Design Cluster and Dansk Mode & Textil, bringing together industry frontrunners and curious first movers — all with one shared goal: to make AI a true driver of innovation in Danish design and lifestyle.

Read more about the network here >>

The second time the network AI as a driver of innovation meets in 2026 is online.

Time: 20 March 20 2026, 9:00–11:00 a.m. (online)

Network Meeting #2: AI in design, startups, and creative processes

09:00–09:10 | Welcome and connection to Network Meeting 1

Lifestyle & Design Cluster / DM&T

• Short welcome
• Summary of Meeting 1: key questions and tensions
• Introduction to today’s focus: AI early in creative and strategic processes

Purpose: To move participants from “AI in operations” to “AI as a creative and strategic collaborator.”

09:10–09:40 | Case presentation – AI as an agent or a replacement for the designer? (30 min.)

15 min: How a designer works with AI – tasks and solutions in practice
Mads, Design Svane

• Which tasks and solutions does a designer use AI for?
• How is AI integrated into the design workflow?

15 min: AI is transforming our design organisation
Lone Hoff Kristensen

• Which tasks can AI already take over in the design department today?
• Which AI tools should designers explore and learn from?

09:40–10:10 | Breakout sessions (30 min.)

Reflection in smaller groups

Suggested discussion questions (choose 1–2):

• Where in our development or design process could AI create the most value early on?
• When do we experience AI strengthening creativity – and when does it challenge quality?
• Which decisions would we not delegate to AI?

10:10–10:40 | Expert talk + AI training (30 min.)

Anders Hermund, The Royal Danish Academy

AI in design and leadership – human-in-the-loop strategies

• Introduction to human-in-the-loop as a design principle
• Examples of using generative AI from idea to concept
• Critical transitions between human and AI in the creative process
• How to design processes where AI supports – rather than replaces – human judgement

Key approach: Focus on process and decision points, not tool demonstrations.

10:40–11:00 | Plenary session and joint reflection (20 min.)

Facilitated by Lifestyle & Design Cluster and DM&T

• Which new approaches to creative processes will participants take with them?
• Where do new tensions arise between creative freedom and efficiency?
• Questions and themes to bring forward to Network Meeting 3 (AI and circularity)

Each network meeting consists of four parts:

Case presentation: Inspiration from practice – one company, one solution, one key takeaway.

Breakout sessions: Reflection in small groups – how can we transfer the idea to our own context?

AI training: Short, hands-on session – e.g. “Write the best prompt”, “Choose the right tool”, “Deep dive and training in a specific AI process”.

Plenary session: Wrap-up of questions, barriers, and new opportunities – used to shape the next meeting.

Dates

26 February, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Online network meeting

20 March, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Online network meeting

17 April, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Online network meeting

28 May, 12:30–3:00 p.m.
In-person meeting in Aarhus

Read more about the network here >>

The participation fee for the AI network is DKK 6,000 per company.

The price covers one in-person meeting and three online network meetings and allows multiple employees from the same company to participate.

If your company is already a member of Lifestyle & Design Cluster and your membership includes network access, participation is free of charge.

If you are unsure whether your membership covers participation, feel free to contact us at heidi@ldcluster.com.

Read more about the network >>