This article presents a study of the application of generative artifi cial intelligence (AI) in the early architectural design phase. Its purpose is to verify whether these tools speed up the development of a concept and how to increase control through simple parametric models and a clearly defined decision loop including a human. The study was based on a course taught at the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw University of Technology by a team of teachers from the Chair of Architectural Design and the Department of Pro-Environmental Design. The course was attended by 62 students in 25 teams. The course was divided into four blocks (type exploration and visualisation, automation of functional layout generation, insolation analysis and life cycle assessment) – the first of these is described in detail in this article. The course combined parametric modelling with a text- and image-driven image generator. The results of student surveys conducted at the end of the course indicate that AI was useful at the concept stage for 88% of them; the main barriers were limited predictability, repeatability and hardware requirements. The best results were produced by a combination of a clearly defi ned designer’s intention with a simple 3D model and a critical selection of results. The course authors recommend integrating AI into the curriculum as a way to learn to work with the process (formulating criteria, controlling the course, evaluating the results), rather than only operating result-focused tools.