Student revolt against AI arts course at top university
The University of NSW is running the course Generative AI for Artists in September, covering the use of artificial intelligence to make image, text, sound, video and three-dimensional artworks.
It also promises to critically examine the use of AI in art, including debates about artists' moral rights, copyright, data and energy use.
Robin Chessell, 22, is in the final year of a double degree in fine arts and secondary education and has launched a petition that has so far garnered about 500 signatures calling for the subject to be cancelled.
"I think a lot of students, especially on the art campus but even people who have no background in art whatsoever, are very concerned about AI," they said.
One signatory to the petition said AI could not create anything new, "it can only corrupt and ruin".
"This is absolutely messed up. Generative AI is a plagiarism machine that sucks the soul out of art ... I'm incredibly disappointed in UNSW," said another.
Artificial Intelligence is generally trained to generate content using vast amounts of data, scooping up the work of writers and artists who in many cases, have not given their consent for its use.
The technology can be used to produce disinformation, propaganda and pornography and also consumes massive amounts of electricity and water to run its servers.
The course is being taught by Associate Professor Oliver Bown, who has been researching generative art for more than 20 years.
He broadly agrees with the students' concerns about the impacts of AI, but says that's no reason to cancel the subject.
"We're a university, we want to encourage free thinking, open debate, and therefore the very idea of shutting down a course because it's about generative AI doesn't sit right with me," he said.
"But many of the fundamental views underlying that petition, I think, are completely valid - there's a really serious negative impact on the cultural and creative industries and artists in particular."
He argues the technology can be used with integrity, such as students training a generative system using only their artworks, and commercial imperatives have caused many of the problems with AI.
UNSW says the subject aligns with its Environmental Sustainability Plan and its Guidelines on the Ethical Use of AI.
The subject provided students with the tools to understand and question the role of generative AI in the arts, a spokesperson for the university said in a statement.
Fewer than 20 students are enrolled in the course so far.
Chessell, who works in drawing, textiles, and moving image art, expects that because their art has been posted on social media, it has already been used to train AI models.
But what the student fears most about the technology is a flood of what is known as "AI slop": generic online content churned out using AI that gets in the way of genuine artistic work being noticed.
By contrast, some artists have had great success using AI technology.
Earlier in July, an artwork by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, which reimagined a goal by Argentinian soccer player Leo Messi, sold for $1.87 million in an online auction.
In December 2024, UNSW signed a deal with US company OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, to develop uses for the tool ChatGPT Edu across the university.
In September, UNSW will host a symposium on the societal impact of AI, bringing together participants from academia, government and industry "to explore how AI is shaping a better future".
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The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Student revolt against AI arts course at top university
Fine arts students are campaigning against a university subject teaching them how to use artificial intelligence to make artworks. The University of NSW is running the course Generative AI for Artists in September, covering the use of artificial intelligence to make image, text, sound, video and three-dimensional artworks. It also promises to critically examine the use of AI in art, including debates about artists' moral rights, copyright, data and energy use. Robin Chessell, 22, is in the final year of a double degree in fine arts and secondary education and has launched a petition that has so far garnered about 500 signatures calling for the subject to be cancelled. "I think a lot of students, especially on the art campus but even people who have no background in art whatsoever, are very concerned about AI," they said. One signatory to the petition said AI could not create anything new, "it can only corrupt and ruin". "This is absolutely messed up. Generative AI is a plagiarism machine that sucks the soul out of art ... I'm incredibly disappointed in UNSW," said another. Artificial Intelligence is generally trained to generate content using vast amounts of data, scooping up the work of writers and artists who in many cases, have not given their consent for its use. The technology can be used to produce disinformation, propaganda and pornography and also consumes massive amounts of electricity and water to run its servers. The course is being taught by Associate Professor Oliver Bown, who has been researching generative art for more than 20 years. He broadly agrees with the students' concerns about the impacts of AI, but says that's no reason to cancel the subject. "We're a university, we want to encourage free thinking, open debate, and therefore the very idea of shutting down a course because it's about generative AI doesn't sit right with me," he said. "But many of the fundamental views underlying that petition, I think, are completely valid - there's a really serious negative impact on the cultural and creative industries and artists in particular." He argues the technology can be used with integrity, such as students training a generative system using only their artworks, and commercial imperatives have caused many of the problems with AI. UNSW says the subject aligns with its Environmental Sustainability Plan and its Guidelines on the Ethical Use of AI. The subject provided students with the tools to understand and question the role of generative AI in the arts, a spokesperson for the university said in a statement. Fewer than 20 students are enrolled in the course so far. Chessell, who works in drawing, textiles, and moving image art, expects that because their art has been posted on social media, it has already been used to train AI models. But what the student fears most about the technology is a flood of what is known as "AI slop": generic online content churned out using AI that gets in the way of genuine artistic work being noticed. By contrast, some artists have had great success using AI technology. Earlier in July, an artwork by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, which reimagined a goal by Argentinian soccer player Leo Messi, sold for $1.87 million in an online auction. In December 2024, UNSW signed a deal with US company OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, to develop uses for the tool ChatGPT Edu across the university. In September, UNSW will host a symposium on the societal impact of AI, bringing together participants from academia, government and industry "to explore how AI is shaping a better future". Fine arts students are campaigning against a university subject teaching them how to use artificial intelligence to make artworks. The University of NSW is running the course Generative AI for Artists in September, covering the use of artificial intelligence to make image, text, sound, video and three-dimensional artworks. It also promises to critically examine the use of AI in art, including debates about artists' moral rights, copyright, data and energy use. Robin Chessell, 22, is in the final year of a double degree in fine arts and secondary education and has launched a petition that has so far garnered about 500 signatures calling for the subject to be cancelled. "I think a lot of students, especially on the art campus but even people who have no background in art whatsoever, are very concerned about AI," they said. One signatory to the petition said AI could not create anything new, "it can only corrupt and ruin". "This is absolutely messed up. Generative AI is a plagiarism machine that sucks the soul out of art ... I'm incredibly disappointed in UNSW," said another. Artificial Intelligence is generally trained to generate content using vast amounts of data, scooping up the work of writers and artists who in many cases, have not given their consent for its use. The technology can be used to produce disinformation, propaganda and pornography and also consumes massive amounts of electricity and water to run its servers. The course is being taught by Associate Professor Oliver Bown, who has been researching generative art for more than 20 years. He broadly agrees with the students' concerns about the impacts of AI, but says that's no reason to cancel the subject. "We're a university, we want to encourage free thinking, open debate, and therefore the very idea of shutting down a course because it's about generative AI doesn't sit right with me," he said. "But many of the fundamental views underlying that petition, I think, are completely valid - there's a really serious negative impact on the cultural and creative industries and artists in particular." He argues the technology can be used with integrity, such as students training a generative system using only their artworks, and commercial imperatives have caused many of the problems with AI. UNSW says the subject aligns with its Environmental Sustainability Plan and its Guidelines on the Ethical Use of AI. The subject provided students with the tools to understand and question the role of generative AI in the arts, a spokesperson for the university said in a statement. Fewer than 20 students are enrolled in the course so far. Chessell, who works in drawing, textiles, and moving image art, expects that because their art has been posted on social media, it has already been used to train AI models. But what the student fears most about the technology is a flood of what is known as "AI slop": generic online content churned out using AI that gets in the way of genuine artistic work being noticed. By contrast, some artists have had great success using AI technology. Earlier in July, an artwork by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, which reimagined a goal by Argentinian soccer player Leo Messi, sold for $1.87 million in an online auction. In December 2024, UNSW signed a deal with US company OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, to develop uses for the tool ChatGPT Edu across the university. In September, UNSW will host a symposium on the societal impact of AI, bringing together participants from academia, government and industry "to explore how AI is shaping a better future". Fine arts students are campaigning against a university subject teaching them how to use artificial intelligence to make artworks. The University of NSW is running the course Generative AI for Artists in September, covering the use of artificial intelligence to make image, text, sound, video and three-dimensional artworks. It also promises to critically examine the use of AI in art, including debates about artists' moral rights, copyright, data and energy use. Robin Chessell, 22, is in the final year of a double degree in fine arts and secondary education and has launched a petition that has so far garnered about 500 signatures calling for the subject to be cancelled. "I think a lot of students, especially on the art campus but even people who have no background in art whatsoever, are very concerned about AI," they said. One signatory to the petition said AI could not create anything new, "it can only corrupt and ruin". "This is absolutely messed up. Generative AI is a plagiarism machine that sucks the soul out of art ... I'm incredibly disappointed in UNSW," said another. Artificial Intelligence is generally trained to generate content using vast amounts of data, scooping up the work of writers and artists who in many cases, have not given their consent for its use. The technology can be used to produce disinformation, propaganda and pornography and also consumes massive amounts of electricity and water to run its servers. The course is being taught by Associate Professor Oliver Bown, who has been researching generative art for more than 20 years. He broadly agrees with the students' concerns about the impacts of AI, but says that's no reason to cancel the subject. "We're a university, we want to encourage free thinking, open debate, and therefore the very idea of shutting down a course because it's about generative AI doesn't sit right with me," he said. "But many of the fundamental views underlying that petition, I think, are completely valid - there's a really serious negative impact on the cultural and creative industries and artists in particular." He argues the technology can be used with integrity, such as students training a generative system using only their artworks, and commercial imperatives have caused many of the problems with AI. UNSW says the subject aligns with its Environmental Sustainability Plan and its Guidelines on the Ethical Use of AI. The subject provided students with the tools to understand and question the role of generative AI in the arts, a spokesperson for the university said in a statement. Fewer than 20 students are enrolled in the course so far. Chessell, who works in drawing, textiles, and moving image art, expects that because their art has been posted on social media, it has already been used to train AI models. But what the student fears most about the technology is a flood of what is known as "AI slop": generic online content churned out using AI that gets in the way of genuine artistic work being noticed. By contrast, some artists have had great success using AI technology. Earlier in July, an artwork by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, which reimagined a goal by Argentinian soccer player Leo Messi, sold for $1.87 million in an online auction. In December 2024, UNSW signed a deal with US company OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, to develop uses for the tool ChatGPT Edu across the university. In September, UNSW will host a symposium on the societal impact of AI, bringing together participants from academia, government and industry "to explore how AI is shaping a better future". Fine arts students are campaigning against a university subject teaching them how to use artificial intelligence to make artworks. The University of NSW is running the course Generative AI for Artists in September, covering the use of artificial intelligence to make image, text, sound, video and three-dimensional artworks. It also promises to critically examine the use of AI in art, including debates about artists' moral rights, copyright, data and energy use. Robin Chessell, 22, is in the final year of a double degree in fine arts and secondary education and has launched a petition that has so far garnered about 500 signatures calling for the subject to be cancelled. "I think a lot of students, especially on the art campus but even people who have no background in art whatsoever, are very concerned about AI," they said. One signatory to the petition said AI could not create anything new, "it can only corrupt and ruin". "This is absolutely messed up. Generative AI is a plagiarism machine that sucks the soul out of art ... I'm incredibly disappointed in UNSW," said another. Artificial Intelligence is generally trained to generate content using vast amounts of data, scooping up the work of writers and artists who in many cases, have not given their consent for its use. The technology can be used to produce disinformation, propaganda and pornography and also consumes massive amounts of electricity and water to run its servers. The course is being taught by Associate Professor Oliver Bown, who has been researching generative art for more than 20 years. He broadly agrees with the students' concerns about the impacts of AI, but says that's no reason to cancel the subject. "We're a university, we want to encourage free thinking, open debate, and therefore the very idea of shutting down a course because it's about generative AI doesn't sit right with me," he said. "But many of the fundamental views underlying that petition, I think, are completely valid - there's a really serious negative impact on the cultural and creative industries and artists in particular." He argues the technology can be used with integrity, such as students training a generative system using only their artworks, and commercial imperatives have caused many of the problems with AI. UNSW says the subject aligns with its Environmental Sustainability Plan and its Guidelines on the Ethical Use of AI. The subject provided students with the tools to understand and question the role of generative AI in the arts, a spokesperson for the university said in a statement. Fewer than 20 students are enrolled in the course so far. Chessell, who works in drawing, textiles, and moving image art, expects that because their art has been posted on social media, it has already been used to train AI models. But what the student fears most about the technology is a flood of what is known as "AI slop": generic online content churned out using AI that gets in the way of genuine artistic work being noticed. By contrast, some artists have had great success using AI technology. Earlier in July, an artwork by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, which reimagined a goal by Argentinian soccer player Leo Messi, sold for $1.87 million in an online auction. In December 2024, UNSW signed a deal with US company OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, to develop uses for the tool ChatGPT Edu across the university. In September, UNSW will host a symposium on the societal impact of AI, bringing together participants from academia, government and industry "to explore how AI is shaping a better future".
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
UNSW under fire over ‘generative AI' art course offering
One of Australia's most prestigious universities has come under fire for offering a new subject which requires students to use generative AI to create art. The class, called DART2252 – Generative AI for Artists, is an elective available to those studying under the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture. It advertises coursework that focuses on producing creative works that 'employ generative AI', with students encouraged to 'explore, interrogate, and integrate current innovations in generative AI'. UNSW Fine Arts and Secondary Education student, Robin Chessell, said it was hard not to find the course insulting, 'especially as an art student'. 'AI can feel very threatening as companies pursue profits over genuine art and human connection. So it does feel a little bit like a betrayal,' the 22-year-old said. 'I've cared a lot about ethical issues with technology for a long time. 'I was very critical of the NFT phase that we went through in 2020, and then as AI has sort of come more into the mainstream, I've been seeing the issues, the negative impacts of it, come out more and more as well.' Ms Chessell said, the truth is, that where or not UNSW run this course, AI is going to make its way into the art landscape. However, she believes that running this course 'sends a message' to art students that hard work, art and behaving ethically towards other people and to the environment 'is not valued', 'And it would send a message that our intellectual property and our creations and ideas as artists are not valued,' the student added. Ms Chessell said the first she heard of the subject being run was via a group chat, and believes the university has not carried out enough consultation with students about the implementation of AI. 'I think from all of the people that I've talked to here on art campus as well as online, I haven't seen a single person that says, 'yes, we need this course',' she said. 'Everyone is pretty universally is against it. 'We were just very frustrated, even felt a sense of betrayal from the university, that they would run this subject and that's what sort of prompted me to do something about it.' A petition started by Ms Chessell has already garnered almost 500 signatures. It calls for the removal of the subject, citing concerns regarding the negative impacts of generative AI such as plagiarism, electricity and water use, climate impacts and ethics surrounding misusage. As well as the cancellation of the class, the petition demands UNSW to commit to not teach or require the use of generative AI in any other classes, now or in future – and when it is mentioned, the disadvantages are outlined by staff. Many signatories expressed their disappointment with the 'harmful' decision to mix AI and human creativity – something that has already resulted in lawsuits around the globe. 'The whole point of applying to, enrolling in, and paying for art school is so YOU can make the art,' one wrote. 'Generative AI in its current state only provides more issues than it does provide a helpful medium for artistic interpretation,' another said. 'It steals from others and uses resources that ultimately plummet us towards more climate change.' 'AI should never be a replacement for creativity,' a third commented. A fourth said: 'Wow, this is messed up.' 'Even if they'd (sic) eliminate this unit later, UNSW turned out to be … a uni that does not care about a sustainable future at all. 'Extremely disappointed and UNSW definitely does not deserve that high ranking in Australia and in the world.' A spokesperson for UNSW told the course was consistent with the university's guidelines on the ethical and 'thoughtful' integration of AI. They did not specify as to how they would minimise any negative impacts created by AI. 'DART2252 Generative AI for Artists is an elective course at UNSW Sydney that critically explores the creative and ethical questions raised by AI, rather than simply promoting or celebrating its use,' the spokesperson said. 'It provides students with the tools to understand and question the role of generative AI in the arts, and is part of a broader effort to ensure students are well-equipped to navigate an increasingly AI-integrated world.' The spokesperson said the course was originally introduced in 2021 under the name Emerging Media Technologies Studio, before being renamed Generative AI for Artists in 2024. It was first taught under its new name in 2025. 'The updated course was approved through UNSW's standard academic governance processes,' the spokesperson said. 'As with all UNSW operations, the course (with its enrolment of fewer than 20 students) aligns with the University's Environmental Sustainability Plan. 'UNSW is a certified carbon-neutral organisation, and the University remains committed to minimising its environmental footprint across all activities.'
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Student revolt against AI arts course at top university
Fine arts students are campaigning against a university subject teaching them how to use artificial intelligence to make artworks. The University of NSW is running the course Generative AI for Artists in September, covering the use of artificial intelligence to make image, text, sound, video and three-dimensional artworks. It also promises to critically examine the use of AI in art, including debates about artists' moral rights, copyright, data and energy use. Robin Chessell, 22, is in the final year of a double degree in fine arts and secondary education and has launched a petition that has so far garnered about 500 signatures calling for the subject to be cancelled. "I think a lot of students, especially on the art campus but even people who have no background in art whatsoever, are very concerned about AI," they said. One signatory to the petition said AI could not create anything new, "it can only corrupt and ruin". "This is absolutely messed up. Generative AI is a plagiarism machine that sucks the soul out of art ... I'm incredibly disappointed in UNSW," said another. Artificial Intelligence is generally trained to generate content using vast amounts of data, scooping up the work of writers and artists who in many cases, have not given their consent for its use. The technology can be used to produce disinformation, propaganda and pornography and also consumes massive amounts of electricity and water to run its servers. The course is being taught by Associate Professor Oliver Bown, who has been researching generative art for more than 20 years. He broadly agrees with the students' concerns about the impacts of AI, but says that's no reason to cancel the subject. "We're a university, we want to encourage free thinking, open debate, and therefore the very idea of shutting down a course because it's about generative AI doesn't sit right with me," he said. "But many of the fundamental views underlying that petition, I think, are completely valid - there's a really serious negative impact on the cultural and creative industries and artists in particular." He argues the technology can be used with integrity, such as students training a generative system using only their artworks, and commercial imperatives have caused many of the problems with AI. UNSW says the subject aligns with its Environmental Sustainability Plan and its Guidelines on the Ethical Use of AI. The subject provided students with the tools to understand and question the role of generative AI in the arts, a spokesperson for the university said in a statement. Fewer than 20 students are enrolled in the course so far. Chessell, who works in drawing, textiles, and moving image art, expects that because their art has been posted on social media, it has already been used to train AI models. But what the student fears most about the technology is a flood of what is known as "AI slop": generic online content churned out using AI that gets in the way of genuine artistic work being noticed. By contrast, some artists have had great success using AI technology. Earlier in July, an artwork by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, which reimagined a goal by Argentinian soccer player Leo Messi, sold for $1.87 million in an online auction. In December 2024, UNSW signed a deal with US company OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, to develop uses for the tool ChatGPT Edu across the university. In September, UNSW will host a symposium on the societal impact of AI, bringing together participants from academia, government and industry "to explore how AI is shaping a better future".
