Can A .I. Replace Artists?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What makes art interesting? What makes art valuable?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether A.I. can create art and media as well as humans and could, therefore, eventually replace artists. The issue is timely because A.I. is already beginning to take some creative jobs from people.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (As a career consultant for creative people, Ted Leonhardt can comment on how A.I. is changing the job market for artists. As an author and illustrator of children’s books, Rob Biddulph makes his living creating original artwork.)

• Analyze Leonhardt’s view. (Leonhardt argues that A.I. can replace artists. He notes that A.I. is already being used to create images and to write articles, books, and scripts. He also says that using A.I. as a tool can save industries time and money and can help artists become more creative.)

• Analyze Biddulph’s view. (Biddulph argues that A.I. cannot replace artists. He claims that art is about sharing relatable thoughts and feelings in creative ways, which is something that robots cannot do. He also argues that A.I. strips the “soul” out of artworks and reduces them to mere products, which devalues the craft.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information..

5. Classroom Debate
Can A.I. replace artists?

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.