Balancing creativity and technology: The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in photography classrooms

This literature review explored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in photography education, with a focus on its impact on creativity, pedagogy, and curriculum development. The primary aim was to examine how AI-powered tools—such as automated editing software, image analysis, and virtual labs—are reshaping photography instruction, and to evaluate their implications for student learning, creative development, and ethical practice. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and recent studies (2012–2024) was conducted to assess emerging trends, benefits, and challenges associated with AI in the photography classroom. Findings reveal that AI enhances accessibility and technical efficiency, enabling students to engage with complex photographic processes and focus more on artistic expression. However, concerns arise around over-reliance on automation, potential homogenisation of creative output, and ethical dilemmas related to authorship and image authenticity. The review highlights a growing need for photography educators to transition from technical instructors to facilitators of critical thinking and conceptual exploration. Effective curriculum design must balance traditional photographic principles with AI-driven innovations, promoting reflective practice, ethical engagement, and creative autonomy. Assignments comparing manual and AI-assisted outputs, as well as discussions on the role of AI in visual storytelling, are proposed as strategies to develop critical awareness and originality. Ultimately, the study concludes that AI should be integrated as a complementary tool that supports—rather than supplants—human creativity. A balanced, ethically grounded approach prepares students to thrive as innovative and responsible practitioners in an evolving, AI-augmented creative landscape.