Estonia and Chicago Experts Debate AI in Arts and Education

Estonian President Alar Karis, along with a diverse group of artists, educators, and technologists from both Estonia and Chicago, convened to explore the profound ways artificial intelligence is reshaping creative practices and educational landscapes. This gathering marked the inaugural U.S. event for the Estonian-American Raud-Tartu initiative.

Dylan Yarbrough, part-time photography instructor, speaks at the AI and Technology in Art, Culture and Education panel, alongside his co-panelists Bryan Sperry, Liina Raud and Bridgette René McCullogh at the Conaway Center on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.

A Global Dialogue on Art and Technology

Artists, educators, and tech experts from Estonia and Chicago gathered at Columbia’s Conaway Center to discuss how artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering creative work, classrooms, and culture. The event, held during the official visit of Estonian President Alar Karis, was titled “AI in Art, Culture, and Education.”

This was the first U.S. program hosted by the Estonian-American Raud-Tartu (EART) initiative, a cultural diplomacy project co-founded by Columbia alum Liina Raud. The initiative aims to connect Estonian and American artists and educators. “At its core, EART celebrates how art continues to express the human spirit in an increasingly technological world — honoring authenticity, emotion and cultural heritage while embracing innovation and global transformation,” said Raud, a 2023 photography graduate.

Estonia has strategically made artificial intelligence a national priority to modernize its government and boost economic competitiveness. Raud noted, “AI is not a single technology — it is a vast field of experimentation and contestation. It is changing how knowledge is formed, how creativity is practiced, and how culture itself is produced.”

AI in the Classroom Navigating a New Frontier

The integration of AI in education sparked a lively debate. Dylan Yarbrough, a part-time photography instructor at Columbia and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, expressed a common concern. While acknowledging that regulated AI use can be beneficial, he worried that some students might “take the easy way out” and “outsource their learning.” He added, “I think that if you’re using [AI] in a very narrow way where the student only has access to a very particular type of function that’s helping them grow and think more deeply, I think it’s great.”

Michael Moriarty of the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation echoed this, emphasizing that AI should be a tool to support teachers, not replace them. “The best people that use AI are people who are strong with discussions and good questions,” Moriarty said. “They know how to ask the right questions, and that’s a skill that needs to be developed.”

Oleg Shvaikovsky, an Estonian AI investor, stressed the importance of critical thinking. He warned that if a student simply copy-pastes an AI-generated answer, “then there is no learning happening.” Instead, he believes real learning occurs when students are guided through a series of prompts to find an answer, engaging their minds “in between.”

The Artists Rebellion Stealing Back from AI

Pilsen-based artist Bryan Sperry offered a provocative take on AI in the creative process. He explained that he “steals” from generative AI by repainting the digital images it produces and then copyrighting his physical paintings. “AI is stealing everything from us, so I’m stealing everything I can from the AI,” Sperry stated. “It’s a little way to say ‘f u’ to the system.”

A Productive Conversation on an Evolving Topic

Attendees found the discussions to be highly valuable. “I feel like the event was very insightful, and it highlighted a bunch of hardships and advantages about AI,” said Kari Mohammad, a junior business marketing major.

Allison Leahy, an associate professor in the School of Fashion, attended to gain new perspectives on AI. The conversation is particularly relevant given that Columbia’s AI policy permits AI use in classrooms but defines its unauthorized use as cheating. Instructors are encouraged to clarify their specific AI rules in their syllabi.

“I feel like it’s an ever changing topic and I think it’s important from a global perspective to just get more insight from subject matter experts,” said Lahey.

Ariana Sanchez, a senior graphic design major, appreciated the diverse viewpoints from the panelists. “I think it was a productive conversation in learning how we can be more productive with AI as it’s something that is just going to be continuing to progress,” she said.