Metaphors help us understand what’s new in terms of what’s familiar, so it’s no surprise that we talk about AI as a tool, assistant, collaborator, and tutor. This session argues that metaphors, while helpful, can also shape our thinking in ways that reduce agency, obscure moral responsibility, and undermine our critical capacities. Using examples from art and design education, where AI is sometimes considered a threat, we explore linguistic strategies that can restore ethical clarity, strengthen student accountability, and support faculty in creating assignments that foster critical engagement with AI, not passive trust.#AI-ethics, #AI-literacy, #responsible-AI