In the field of art design, AI painting has gradually emerged as a novel creative tool. In the processof integrating AI painting into commercial design, it has brought a great impact on the related industry and sparkedwidespread controversy, which hasprompted higher education institutions to take the initiative to reform teaching torespond to the profound impact of AI. Building upon an analysis of the current status of art design education reforms,it is necessary to advocate the new thinking of “AI+” teaching, and the moderate separation of “aesthetics” and“technology”, encouraging “peaceful coexistence” with AI and reforming the delivering teaching method of traditionalknowledge, so as to utilize AI as a teaching aid to transit from “limited” painting skills to “boundless” aestheticcreativity.