Earlier this summer, eight students explored the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and fashion in a unique study abroad curriculum created by FIT’s DTech Lab and H-FARM College, the institute for undergraduate and postgraduate education of H-FARM located near Venice, Italy. This two-week summer program was taught for one week on H-FARM’s Campus in Italy and the second week in New York City at FIT. The five participating students from FIT are all Social Justice Scholars, an initiative to benefit BIPOC students and promote diversity in the creative industries, majoring in Fashion Design, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Communication Design, and Textile/Surface Design. H-FARM College’s three students are studying international business and digital economics and finance.
In an industry that is evolving to accommodate the speed of technology, this cross-cultural exploration of AI gave the next generation of creatives a chance to enrich their education by experiencing the fashion industry across continents while incorporating AI in real time. The consensus from the program’s participants was that AI is not to be feared—instead, lean into it and customize it to help creatives work smarter and build on their inspiration and processes.
We’ve compiled the following photo journal documenting the two-week program.
The first week on H-FARM Campus, June 3–9, included trips around Venice and opportunities to explore the fragrances at The Merchant of Venice and the fabrics and costumes in the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo (Mocenigo Palace). Days in the classroom were a blend of lectures with H-FARM College expert Erisa Ibrahimi and FIT co-teacher Kathlin Argiro and practice sessions with AI applications such as the OpenArt AI platform.
“Being exposed to another culture and closely working with peers from another country provides an unparalleled global perspective and unique experiential learning that can only be captured with this type of immersive experience.” — Kathlin Argiro, adjunct assistant professor, Global Fashion Management, and one of the program’s lead professors
“Teaching AI in the creative industries is important because it enhances creativity, automates repetitive tasks, and offers new tools for innovation and design,” Sperber said. “The programs still have tremendous bias and are not without challenges.” —Amy Sperber, assistant professor, Fashion Design, and one of the program’s faculty members
“The H-FARM College program created such a wonderful environment for learning and growth, which significantly impacted my work and process. Hearing from industry professionals offered refreshing perspectives that contrasted with my experiences in the American fashion scene. At H-FARM College, we were constantly reminded of the importance of preserving fashion and fostering a passion for the craft.” —Maliha Ayaz, Textile/Surface Design ’26
During the program’s second week, June 10–15, classes were taught on campus at FIT in the DTech Lab, the college’s innovation and research lab. Students learned about production, manufacturing, and customization, and how AI is being used to study past trends and create new designs. They also took field trips to fully immerse themselves in New York City’s culture and energy.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Artigiani Veneziani, a leather goods factory in Italy. I really liked the behind-the-scenes look at all the hard work that goes into making bags. In New York I really enjoyed the custom flower-making shop we visited. The experience was very insightful and engaging.” —Alma-Nicole Sossa, Communication Design ’25
“The FIT DTech Lab experience really impacted my workflow. It helped me find new solutions to problems in a creative way. For example, using AI became a crucial tool in dealing with common problems.” —Niccolò Costa, International Business Studies ’26, H-FARM College
“This was my first time in Italy and my first time studying abroad. My favorite part was opening my mind to different cultures, experiences, architecture, and geography. I loved it when we went to Venice. I got to see the iconic things it’s known for, like the gondolas and water taxis in the canal. I really liked the color palette of the city.” —Paloma Sanchez Maria, Fashion Design ’26
“Having the opportunity to experience where your peers are living across the ocean, learning their habits, and putting yourself in their shoes, even for a few days, is a way to better understand the people around the world. This is also crucial in business because you can have a better [understanding] of companies and potential customers.” —Elisa Povolo, Digital Economics and Finance ’25, H-FARM College
“The H-FARM program and experience impacted my work and process by introducing me to AI and demonstrating the framework of different types of AI programs like Leonardo AI, Krea, and ChatGPT, etc.” —Labiba Islam, Textile/Surface Design ’26
“We are so pleased that our Social Justice Center Scholars were able to participate in the H-FARM College program. This innovative initiative was designed to introduce young minds to the world of fashion and AI and being onsite in Venice provided an environment infused with creative thinking and essential entrepreneurial skills for our talented students.” —Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president, FIT
All of the students in the program featured in Brooklyn, during a trip to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.