Why Art Education Matters in the Age of AI

Why Art Education Matters in the Age of AI

As we enter the AI era, many people are trying to understand it, learn it, or apply it in hopes of earning money. In my case, I first experienced this new world of artificial intelligence simply by using ChatGPT. Compared to before, it now takes me less time and effort to write formal emails.

When it comes to blogging, I used to feel pressed for time and often published posts without enough research, or I left drafts unfinished. But with ChatGPT, I can complete articles more efficiently, while also learning how to refine and expand my writing in a more systematic way. I also use it to filter out spam, make judgments, or seek advice.

Yet in truth, ChatGPT is only at the very bottom layer of AI. Beyond it lies another world of astonishingly fast development. And this progress will gradually approach us in ways we can feel more directly. Sometimes, when speaking with friends, I find myself saying: one day in the future, our children will be shocked to learn that their parents once drove cars manually. They will ask, “How could you trust humans to drive safely?”

At times, this rapid progress feels frustrating. Yes, science makes our lives more convenient, but it also makes us increasingly dependent, leaving us helpless without technology. That’s why I believe there is great value in handmade, self-created work. When we start from scratch, wrestle with problems, and make something with our own hands, growth and expansion come naturally. We live actively and independently. But when we rely too much on polished tools made by others, we risk forgetting what we are capable of without them. In the end, we may even become slaves to the tools.

So I wonder: how will the value of human creativity and making things change in the future? I still hold on to a thread of hope, because there are things that must still pass through human hands and hearts. And compared to the past, it’s true that our lives are overflowing with exciting and stimulating things.

When I was young, I spent most of my time outdoors. If I were bored, I would stare endlessly at the clouds drifting across the sky. But how much time do today’s children have for that kind of stillness? Other than glancing at scenery while riding in a car, they have very few opportunities to simply sit and drift into thought. For me, imagining and thinking were a kind of play.
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This is why I believe art education is essential in the AI age. It gives children—and adults—the chance to imagine, to think, and to create. That, after all, is the ultimate purpose of art education: nurturing imagination and keeping alive the uniquely human power to dream.

AI is rapidly transforming our lives, making things faster and easier but also increasing our dependence on technology. In this era, art education is more essential than ever—it nurtures imagination, creativity, and the human capacity to think independently

Image by Audria

As AI grows more powerful, we need to remember what makes us human. Machines may produce answers faster, but they cannot replace the experience of pausing, reflecting, and creating something original. Art helps us discover our inner world, and in doing so, reminds us that progress isn’t just about efficiency—it’s also about meaning.