Speaking Boost · B2 · Lesson 19 of 50
Speaking Boost B2 · Block 4: Technology and AI

Can AI be creative?

In 2018 a portrait made by an algorithm was sold at auction for 432,500 dollars. Learn to report opinions with reporting verbs, to argue about creativity, and to discuss what AI can and cannot do.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

AI and art

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. Have you ever used AI to make a picture, a text or music?
  2. What does it mean to be creative?
  3. Who is the most creative person you know?
  4. Would you buy art made by an algorithm?
  5. What can humans do that machines cannot?
  6. Are you worried about AI in your job or studies?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about AI.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. An is a set of rules that a computer follows.
  2. The program can thousands of images in a minute.
  3. Some people think AI can only human art.
  4. There is a debate about the of works made by AI.
  5. The system was on thousands of old portraits.
  6. She sees AI as a , like a camera or a brush.
  7. The painting was sold at an in New York.
  8. Many artists fear that machines will them.
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. creative = able to produce
  2. original =
  3. to imitate = to
  4. a creator is a person who
  5. to replace = to take the
  6. innovative = using
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to report what people said and advised.

  • He suggested using...Він запропонував використовувати...He suggested using AI as a tool.
  • She admitted feeling...Вона зізналася, що відчуває...She admitted feeling worried.
  • They promised to...Вони пообіцяли...They promised to be careful.
  • He refused to...Він відмовився...He refused to call it art.
  • She denied copying...Вона заперечила, що копіювала...She denied copying anyone.
  • He warned me not to...Він попередив мене не...He warned me not to trust everything.
  • She advised me to...Вона порадила мені...She advised me to try it.
  • They insisted on...Вони наполягали на...They insisted on giving credit.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

A portrait by an algorithm

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

Can AI be creative?

In October 2018, the auction house Christie's in New York sold a portrait called "Edmond de Belamy". It was not painted by a person in the usual sense. It was generated by an algorithm created by a French group of artists and researchers called Obvious. The price was 432,500 dollars, many times higher than the estimate.

The algorithm had been trained on thousands of portraits from earlier centuries, and it produced a new image in a similar style. The signature on the picture was part of the computer code. Some people called the sale a turning point, while others said that it was mostly a clever marketing story.

Since then, tools which can generate images, music and text from a short instruction have become common. Supporters argue that they are new tools for human creators, just as the camera once was. Critics worry that AI is only imitating the work of real artists, many of whom have not been asked or paid.

There are also legal questions. In the United States, the Copyright Office has said that works created entirely by AI cannot be protected by copyright, although works that include real human creativity may be.

Can something be creative if it has no feelings or intentions? Perhaps creativity depends not only on the result but also on the process and the meaning.

What do you think?

3.2

True or false?

  1. The portrait was sold in 2018.
  2. The portrait was painted by hand.
  3. The algorithm was trained on old portraits.
  4. The text says all critics agree with the supporters.
  5. According to the text, works made entirely by AI cannot be protected by US copyright.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Is creativity only about the result, or also about the process?
  2. Should artists be paid when AI learns from their work?
  3. Would you hang an AI picture on your wall?
  4. How can AI help creative people without replacing them?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

Reporting verbs + infinitive

agree, promise, refuse, offer + to-infinitive. advise, warn, tell, ask + object + to-infinitive.

She promised to be careful. He refused to call it art. She advised me to try it. He warned me not to trust it.

Reporting verbs + -ing

suggest, admit, deny, recommend, insist on + -ing.

He suggested using AI as a tool. She admitted feeling worried. He denied copying anyone. They insisted on giving credit.

Block 4 review

Use the grammar from this block.

reported statements (L16) · the passive for processes (L17) · future in the past, reported questions (L18)

Common mistakes: suggest / admit / deny + -ing, promise / refuse + to, advise me to. ✗ He suggested to use → He suggested using. ✗ She advised me trying → She advised me to try.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. He suggested
    AI as a tool.
  2. She admitted
    worried.
  3. They promised
    careful.
  4. He refused
    it art.
  5. She advised me
    it.
  6. He denied
    anyone.
  7. They insisted
    credit.
  8. He warned me
    everything.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. He suggested to use AI. →
  2. She admitted to feel worried. →
  3. They promised being careful. →
  4. He refused calling it art. →
  5. She advised me trying it. →
  6. He warned me to not trust it. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use reporting verbs: suggested, admitted, promised, refused, advised, warned.

  1. Do you think AI can be creative? Why?
  2. Have you ever used AI to make something?
  3. What did someone recently suggest or advise you to do?
  4. Would you buy art made by an algorithm?
  5. Who should own a picture made by AI?
  6. What can humans do that machines can't?
5

Three views on AI art and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Three views on AI art

Three people have different views on AI art. Report what each one thinks. Who is the most positive? Who is the most critical? Whose view is closest to yours?

Person 1

Ben, 34

  • Is a graphic designer
  • Uses AI for first ideas
  • Says it is just a tool
  • Admits he sometimes copies its style
Person 2

Sofia, 50

  • Is a painter
  • Refuses to use AI
  • Worries that artists are not paid
  • Insists on credit for original artists
Person 3

Prof Adams, 58

  • Studies creativity
  • Suggests that process matters
  • Warns not to overestimate machines
  • Believes the debate will continue
5.2

Mini-talk: creativity and machines

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: what you or others say about AI (reporting verbs).
  3. Part 2: whether a machine can be creative.
  4. Part 3: the effect of AI on jobs and art in the future.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Have you ever created anything with AI?
  2. What do you do when you need inspiration?
  3. Do you draw, write or make music?
  4. What was the last creative thing you did?
  5. Would you like to be a professional artist?
  6. Do you think AI is a threat or a help?
  7. What tools do you use at work or study?
  8. Which artwork do you like most?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who in your family is creative?
  2. Who advised you to try something new?
  3. Who suggested a good book or film to you?
  4. Who do you know that is afraid of AI?
  5. Who do you know that uses AI every day?
  6. Who taught you to draw or to write?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Should AI works be labelled?
  2. Should artists give permission before AI learns from their work?
  3. Will AI make people less creative?
  4. Can a machine have an idea?
  5. Should schools teach students to use AI?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

Giving an opinion on AI art

You

Speaker

A friend (your teacher) asks about AI art. Give your opinion:
  • say whether AI can be creative
  • give a reason
  • report what someone else said
  • advise your friend
Speak for at least 2 minutes in total. Use reporting verbs.
Your teacher

Friend

Says things like:
  1. Have you seen AI paintings?
  2. Is it real art?
  3. Who owns it?
  4. Would you buy one?
7.2

Panel discussion

You

Panel member

You are on a panel about AI and artists (your teacher is the host):
  • introduce your view
  • report a statement by another person
  • respond to a criticism
  • suggest a solution
You do most of the talking. Use: suggested + -ing · refused to · warned that · admitted
Your teacher

Host

Says things like:
  1. What is your position?
  2. Some artists feel threatened.
  3. What should be done?
  4. Any final thoughts?
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

algorithmgenerateimitateauthorshiptrainedtoolauctionreplace
  1. An is a set of rules that a computer follows.
  2. The program can thousands of images in a minute.
  3. Some people think AI can only human art.
  4. There is a debate about the of works made by AI.
  5. The system was on thousands of old portraits.
  6. She sees AI as a , like a camera or a brush.
  7. The painting was sold at an in New York.
  8. Many artists fear that machines will them.
H2

Choose the correct form

  1. She suggested to the museum.
  2. He promised me.
  3. They refused .
  4. She advised me .
  5. He admitted a mistake.
  6. She denied the money.
  7. He warned us late.
  8. They insisted .
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. He suggested using AI as a tool.
  2. He suggested to use AI.
  3. She advised me to try it.
  4. She advised me trying it.
  5. They promised to be careful.
  6. He refused calling it art.
  7. She admitted feeling worried.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. He suggested using
  2. She admitted
  3. They promised
  4. He refused
  5. She denied
  6. He warned me
  7. She advised me

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.