At DOBA University of Applied Sciences, we successfully implemented a modern, practice-oriented study approach in the course Sustainable and Smart Mobility Systems, in which artificial intelligence was not only a topic of lectures, but also a concrete working tool. The course, which took place in May and June 2026, was delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr Matej Grošelj, course leader, and mag. Niko Korpar, co-lecturer and online mentor.
A distinctive feature of this year’s delivery was the comprehensive redesign of the course towards active, applicable and future-oriented learning. Students explored current challenges in sustainable and smart mobility, digitalisation, urban development, and the economic and social aspects of modern mobility. In doing so, they used artificial intelligence as support in understanding challenges, shaping ideas, preparing solutions and developing prototypes of digital applications.
Significant added value was also provided by two guest lectures by experts from practice, which guided students towards a deeper understanding of modern mobility, digitalisation and the advanced use of artificial intelligence.
The first guest lecturer was Miha Valentinčič, Management Board Adviser at Avant car, where he works on the company’s strategic directions, the planning of new business models and digitalisation. Previously, he served as Director of the Energy and Environment Development Department at Petrol, where he was responsible for developing new activities and services in the fields of energy, environmental and sustainable mobility solutions. He presented students with mobility trends, as well as the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to sustainable and multimodal mobility in small and medium-sized cities.
The second guest lecturer was Sebastjan Mislej, an expert in e-mobility, artificial intelligence, digitalisation and information technologies, and Head of Innovation at Avant car. His work includes the development and management of the Avant2Go vehicle-sharing system, and he is also the co-founder of Videolectures.net, one of the world’s largest archives of academic video recordings. In his lecture, he introduced students to the importance of artificial intelligence, the application of innovative AI solutions in mobility, and examples of use in companies developing advanced urban mobility. The lecture was also directly linked to the students’ assignments, as they applied the acquired knowledge in preparing their own digital solutions.
As part of their team assignments, students used artificial intelligence tools to develop prototypes of digital solutions for city decision-makers and residents. Useful applications were created to address concrete mobility challenges:
Through this process, students realised that even without specific technical expertise, they can create a useful digital solution with the appropriate use of AI tools. Many created a website independently for the first time and recognised that high-quality use of artificial intelligence requires good preparation: a clear specification of the problem, well-designed prompts, iterative improvement of the solution and, above all, an understanding of the field in which the solution is being developed.
The course was designed so that every activity brought direct value to students. In addition to working with artificial intelligence, the delivery was enriched by guest lecturers from practice, active participation in webinars, forum discussions, individual assignments, teamwork and presentations of student solutions. This approach encouraged collaboration, creativity, research-oriented thinking and the development of competences that students will also be able to apply in their professional environments.
The students’ responses further confirm that this was a highly successful example of good practice in introducing artificial intelligence into the study process. They rated the course exceptionally highly, with a score of 6.9 on a 7-point scale, demonstrating their satisfaction with the content, delivery and applicability of the knowledge gained.
The delivery of the course Sustainable and Smart Mobility Systems therefore shows how artificial intelligence can be meaningfully integrated into the study process: not as a substitute for knowledge, but as a tool which, with expert guidance, clear objectives and a creative approach, helps students develop concrete solutions to the challenges of contemporary society.
