WHEN AI ISN’T ENOUGH: THE UI/UX EXCEPTION IN AI-SUPPORTED LEARNING AT JAPAN DIGITAL UNIVERSITY

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized educational methodologies by providing adaptive learning environments that enhance student performance in technical disciplines. At Japan Digital University (JDU), a phased integration of AI tools was implemented across the IT curriculum, including courses in programming, data management, and project planning. The results demonstrated consistent academic improvement across AI-supported subjects. However, the User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design course remained an exception, being taught without AI involvement. This study analyzes academic outcomes, student engagement, and cognitive-emotional responses in both AI-integrated and traditional learning contexts. Findings suggest that while AI optimizes structured learning, it falls short in creative, subjective domains like UI/UX, where empathy, aesthetic judgment, and human-centered thinking are paramount. The research concludes that educational institutions must adopt a balanced, discipline-sensitive approach to AI integration to preserve essential human elements in learning.