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Sample Toulmin Argument Essay on Artificial Intelligence

Below is a sample outline and a well-developed Toulmin argument essay in APA 7th ed. titled “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Work.” This sample is intended to help college students write better essays. Remember, the Toulmin model emphasizes the structure of an argument by breaking it down into specific elements, including claims, evidence, and warrants.

Toulmin Argument Essay on Artificial Intelligence

Sample Toulmin Argument Essay Outline on Artificial Intelligence & Work

  1. Introduction:
    • Hook: Start with a thought-provoking statistic or anecdote about the rise of AI and automation in the workplace.
    • Brief background on the growing role of AI in various industries.
    • Thesis statement: The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence into the workplace raises critical questions about the future of work, including the potential for job displacement, the need for workforce adaptation, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI deployment.
  2. Body Paragraphs:
    1. Claim: AI’s Potential for Job Displacement
      • Topic sentence: AI technologies have the potential to disrupt traditional employment by automating various tasks and roles.
      • Evidence: Cite statistics and studies that demonstrate the impact of AI on job displacement. For example, mention reports predicting the automation of certain jobs and industries, such as manufacturing or customer service (Frey & Osborne, 2017).
      • Warrant: Explain how the evidence supports the claim, highlighting that AI advancements may lead to reduced job opportunities in certain sectors, making it imperative to address this issue.
    2. Claim: The Need for Workforce Adaptation
      • Topic sentence: As AI transforms the job landscape, there is a growing need for workforce adaptation and the development of new skill sets.
      • Evidence: Provide examples of AI-driven industries where workers have successfully adapted. Reference case studies that show how upskilling and reskilling programs can help employees transition to new roles (World Economic Forum, 2020).
      • Warrant: Explain that as AI technology evolves, employees must be prepared to acquire new skills and adapt to changing workplace demands, ensuring their long-term employability and career growth.
    3. Claim: Ethical Considerations in AI Deployment
      • Topic sentence: The widespread use of AI in the workplace raises ethical concerns related to privacy, bias, and decision-making.
      • Evidence: Mention specific instances or studies that showcase AI bias or privacy breaches in the workplace. Discuss ethical frameworks, like those proposed by organizations such as the IEEE, to address these concerns (IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, 2021).
      • Warrant: Emphasize the importance of addressing ethical issues to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly, safeguarding individuals’ rights and promoting fairness in decision-making.
    4. Counterargument: AI as a Tool for Job Enhancement
      • Topic sentence: While AI has the potential to displace certain jobs, it can also be viewed as a tool for enhancing human work and creating new employment opportunities.
      • Evidence: Provide examples of AI technologies that have improved job efficiency or created new roles, such as AI-driven healthcare diagnostics or AI-assisted customer support.
      • Warrant: Explain that AI can complement human capabilities, leading to increased productivity and the potential for innovation, which could offset job displacement in some instances.
  3. Conclusion
    • Summarize the main claims and counterargument.
    • Reiterate the complexity of AI’s impact on the future of work.
    • Call to action: Encourage proactive measures, such as AI ethics guidelines, upskilling programs, and workforce adaptation initiatives, to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the workplace.
  4. References
    • Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2017). The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerization? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 254-280.
    • World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report 2020. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020
    • IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems. (2021). Ethically Aligned Design, Version 3. https://ethicsinaction.ieee.org/