Exploring the potential of text-to-image generation technology in Taiwanese vocational high school art courses, this study employs a conceptual framework of technology integration, creative thinking, and metacognitive abilities, focusing on its effects on teaching strategies as well as students’ digital art creation skills and cognitive and creative development. The study was conducted through a multi-methodological approach that includes a systematic literature review plus participatory action research and qualitative analysis. The results showed that integrating text-to-image technology with education boosted students’ interest in activities such as prompt design and project creation and suited themes like landscapes and conceptual art. Testing AI tools enhanced technical proficiency (average of 3.95/5), while pedagogy shifted to project-based learning, increasing engagement. Students’ digital art skills improved from 3.26 to 3.78 (16% growth), with creativity and originality (3.82/5), style diversity, visual complexity, and divergent thinking notably advanced. The technology also fostered metacognitive skills and critical thinking, proving to be an effective teaching aid beyond a mere digital tool. This discovery provides a fresh theoretical viewpoint and instructional procedures for high school art education curricula, anchored in technology, and highlights the importance of nurturing students’ innovativeness and adaptability within the contemporary digital age.

In the era of rapid technological advancement and the ascent of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing the persistent gap between education and employment is crucial to ensure “decent work for all” and enhance human well-being. This study initiates its inquiry from the construction of learning indicators, aiming to facilitate the early exposure of learners to relevant industrial technologies and the acquisition of future-oriented competencies. Firstly, through a review of the literature and an analysis of the current situation, the concept of technology mapping in the industrial sector is employed for technology forecasting. This involves the development of a technology roadmap and the identification of key technologies. Subsequently, the Delphi method is utilized to invite expert scholars to assess the suitability and importance of learning indicators. Data processing is carried out using descriptive statistics, qualitative recommendations, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov single-sample analysis. Using a smart home system practice curriculum as an example, this study’s final development includes 9 main constructs and 56 sub-constructs, serving as the foundation for curriculum and instructional material development. Upon receiving relevant instruction, students can swiftly integrate into related industries.