SCAD is making headlines again with its new Applied AI degree program, aiming to merge technology and creativity. Some see it as a forward thinking move, while others question if it fits the school’s artistic roots.
The new major, which began this fall semester, is designed to teach students how to use AI across creative fields like design, storytelling, and technology. It’s part of SCAD’s broader goal to prepare students for future job markets, with potential careers ranging from AI product developers to “ethical design strategists.” SCAD is also offering an AI minor open to students in any major, from animation to industrial design.
According to program lead Nye Warburton, chair of interactive design and game development, the curriculum is built around three pillars: story, action, and impact. Students will learn how to use AI tools in storytelling and design while also understanding the ethical and environmental implications of the technology. “The idea isn’t to replace creativity,” Warburton said, “but to help students figure out how to use AI responsibly — and creatively.”
That balance, however, is exactly what’s sparking debate.
AI’s growing influence in creative industries has been controversial everywhere, but at an art and design school like SCAD, the tension feels especially personal. Some professors and students in fields like industrial design and UX see it as a natural next step, something that could make creative work faster and smarter. Others, particularly in illustration, sequential art, and animation, worry that embracing AI undermines the human touch that defines their craft.
On campus in Savannah, the reaction has been mixed. Some students told local media they’re curious to see how the program develops. Others, particularly in more traditional art disciplines, have voiced concerns online, with some arguing that AI could “de-skill” artists or even replace jobs in industries like animation and gaming.
Those concerns aren’t unfounded. AI-generated art and design tools have already caused major disruptions across creative industries, contributing to layoffs and ethical debates about data usage and copyright. Some artists are now being asked to “touch up” AI generated images rather than create original work from scratch, a trend many fear could become the norm.
Still, SCAD is betting that the demand for AI fluency will only grow. The school’s career outcomes have long been a major selling point, with 99% of graduates employed or pursuing further education within a year, and administrators believe understanding AI will soon be a key factor in that success rate.
So far, only a handful of students have declared Applied AI as their major, but interest is expected to grow once the first official course, AI 101, launches this winter. The class promises to combine creative exercises, personal storytelling, and hands-on experience with language and image models.
Savannah locals are no strangers to SCAD’s forward thinking approach, from digital fashion to virtual production, the university often sets trends before others catch up. But the launch of this new program also highlights how quickly the creative landscape is changing, even in a city that prides itself on tradition and craftsmanship.
SCAD’s move also puts it in competition with other top art schools leaning into AI, including Ringling College of Art and Design and the Rhode Island School of Design, both of which have introduced AI related coursework. Whether SCAD’s version becomes a model for the future or a flashpoint in the debate over art and automation remains to be seen.
For now, the conversation on campus continues. Some see SCAD’s Applied AI degree as a smart response to a shifting job market. Others see it as a test of where creativity ends and technology begins.
Either way, it’s clear that even in a city known for its history and charm, innovation isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
