UNSW under fire over ‘generative AI’ art course offering

A detail in a course being offered by an Australian university has sparked outrage from students, with hundreds calling to axe the class completely.

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, said it was hard not to find the course insulting, “especially as an art student”.

The course, available as an elective to those studying under the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, encourages students to employ AI as a part of their art. Picture: Supplied

“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.”

Robin said the truth is, that whether 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.

A petition calling for the removal of the subject has been started by UNSW student Robin. Picture: iStock

Robin 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 Change.org petition started by Robin 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.”

Robin called the course “insulting” to the students studying art. Picture: iStock

A spokesperson for UNSW told news.com.au 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 petition has garnered almost 500 signatures, with many agreeing the course was “harmful” to human creativity. Picture: Supplied

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.”

Originally published as UNSW under fire over ‘generative AI’ art course offering