UNSW Professor Stands Firm on AI Art Course Amid Student Protests Over Ethics and Environment

UNSW Defends New AI Art Course Amid Student Concerns

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is moving forward with its new course, Generative AI for Artists, despite strong opposition from some students. The course, launching next semester, aims to equip artists with practical skills in using AI tools while addressing critical issues like copyright and moral rights.

Originally introduced in 2021 as Emerging Media Technologies Studio, the course was revamped last year to focus specifically on generative AI. UNSW’s official handbook describes it as an opportunity for students to develop a creative practice using widely available AI tools and to critically engage with the ethical and conceptual questions surrounding AI in creative work.

Student Backlash and Concerns

Robyn, a fine arts and education student at UNSW, started a petition demanding the course be cancelled. Their petition, which gathered over 7,000 signatures, expressed fears about how AI-generated art could exploit artists’ work without consent and exacerbate environmental harm. These concerns also prompted the UNSW Student Representative Council (SRC) to call for a review of generative AI’s environmental and ethical impacts at the university.

Robyn shared how many students were upset and disturbed, worried that their art might be scraped and used in AI databases without permission. Environmental concerns were also significant, with worries about the carbon footprint of training and running AI models.

Faculty Response: Embracing Critical Engagement

Associate Professor Oliver Bown, who teaches the course, acknowledges the challenges generative AI introduces to the creative sector, describing it as a “layer cake of nightmares.” Yet, he cautions against cancelling the course outright. According to Bown, dismissing AI art risks setting a precedent that could unfairly condemn various art forms. He warns that defining what counts as valid art can lead to being labeled “anti-art.”

Bown met with concerned students to discuss their issues and emphasized that understanding how AI works is essential for critical engagement. He argues that rather than ignoring AI, artists should explore it thoughtfully to challenge and shape creative practices.

Broader Shift in Australian Universities

Australian universities are increasingly integrating AI into their curricula. After initial caution around tools like ChatGPT, many institutions now offer courses and degrees focused on AI and creativity. For example:

• The University of New England offers a course on Creativity and Artificial Intelligence where students collaborate with AI to create art.
• Monash University, the University of Adelaide, the University of Queensland, and the University of Western Australia provide bachelor’s and master’s degrees specializing in artificial intelligence.

UNSW’s Commitment to Sustainability and Ethics

A UNSW spokesperson clarified that the university supports the thoughtful integration of AI in education. They emphasized that the new course fits within UNSW’s wider goal to prepare students for a world increasingly influenced by AI.

Regarding environmental concerns, UNSW maintains its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The university is certified carbon-neutral and aligns all operations, including new courses, with its environmental sustainability plan.

What This Means for Creatives

For artists and creatives, this course represents a chance to understand and interact with AI tools shaping contemporary art. While concerns about intellectual property and environmental impact are valid, engaging critically with AI can offer new opportunities for creative expression and innovation.

If you want to familiarize yourself with AI tools and courses like this, resources such as Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses provide practical options to build skills in generative AI and related technologies.