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Artificial Intelligence Speech Topics to Inform or Persuade

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize many industries and improve people's lives, but it also raises many controversial issues. Therefore, influential public speakers will discuss these artificial intelligence speech topics in 2023 and beyond. The most controversial subjects will concentrate on AI's effects and potential impacts on humans.

Considerations for Choosing AI Speech Topics

One primary concern is the potential for AI to replace human jobs, leading to widespread unemployment. This could have significant economic and social consequences, and it is essential to consider ways to mitigate these impacts and ensure that people can adapt to the changing job market. Another controversial issue is the ethical implications of AI making decisions that have significant consequences for individuals or society. For example, AI systems may be used to make decisions about criminal sentencing or healthcare treatments, which could significantly impact people's lives. How will we collectively ensure that AI decisions are fair and just?

Further considerations involve harmful use and discrimination. AI also has the potential to be used for nefarious purposes, such as creating autonomous weapons or invading people's privacy. This raises serious concerns about the potential misuse of AI and the need for effective regulation and oversight. Additionally, AI systems can perpetuate or amplify biases in the data used to train them, which could have severe consequences for marginalized or disadvantaged groups. Unfortunately, the current trend indicates a need for more transparency in many AI systems, which makes it difficult for humans to understand how they arrive at certain decisions. This lack of transparency can make it challenging to hold AI systems accountable and raises concerns about their reliability and trustworthiness.

Will societies adequately consider the ethical implications of using AI in these contexts and ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place?

The Top Critical Artificial Intelligence Speech Topics

In the context of today's technologically driven world, exploring various artificial intelligence speech topics is crucial. These topics illuminate the intersection of AI with multiple areas of interest and their societal implications.

The Overlap of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics, two distinct yet complementary fields, share a deep intertwining relationship. Robotics often employs AI to improve the decision-making capability of robots, thereby enhancing their ability to interact with their environment. This synergy is crucial in several industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence for Computer Vision

AI's use in computer vision aims to train machines to understand and interpret the visual world as humans do. This involves detecting and identifying objects, understanding scenes and activities, and even recognizing patterns. Applications range from autonomous vehicles to medical imaging, raising questions about accuracy, ethics, and societal implications.

The Intersection of AI and Recommender Systems

AI plays a significant role in powering recommender systems, which are now integral parts of online platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube. By using AI algorithms, these systems analyze users' behavior to recommend personalized content or products, raising concerns about privacy and user autonomy.

Algorithmic Game Theory and Computational Mechanism Design (Multiagent Systems)

These artificial intelligence speech topics explore the theoretical foundations of AI, focusing on the interaction of multiple AI systems. Algorithmic game theory applies economic principles to computational systems, while computational mechanism design focuses on creating algorithms for efficient and fair resource allocation. These principles are key in developing AI systems that cooperate and compete.

Ethical Issues in Artificial Intelligence

The use of AI raises a plethora of ethical concerns, ranging from bias and fairness to transparency and accountability. As AI systems increasingly influence decisions that affect human lives, it's crucial to address these issues and work towards equitable, trustworthy AI technologies.

Does Artificial Intelligence Increase Discrimination

With the integration of AI into many aspects of society, the potential for AI systems to perpetuate or exacerbate discrimination has become a pressing concern. Unconscious biases in training data can lead to discriminatory outputs, affecting sectors like employment, finance, and law enforcement.

Programming Languages for the Artificial Intelligence Field

Different programming languages serve distinct roles within the AI field, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Exploring these languages and their applications in AI development can empower better decision-making for AI projects and help understand how different tools contribute to the AI landscape.

Artificial Intelligence Career-Building Projects

Building a career in AI requires not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. Engaging with AI projects such as designing a chatbot, creating a recommender system, or developing an AI model to solve a specific problem, can provide invaluable hands-on experience and showcase one's skills to potential employers.

These artificial intelligence speech topics represent some of the current critical discussions in AI. As we continue to harness AI's power, we must also consider these issues to guide its development responsibly, ethically, and inclusively. Therefore, these choices provide a great topics for a impactful speech.

Informative Topics for a Speech on AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown from an intriguing concept to an integral part of our daily lives. Consequently, the need for clear understanding and informed discussions around AI grows as it evolves. A crucial part of these discussions is presentations and speeches focusing on the various aspects of AI. In this blog post, we provide you with an insightful list of artificial intelligence speech topics, each serving as a unique lens through which to understand the dynamic landscape of AI.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence is a broad field of computer science that involves creating machines capable of mimicking human intelligence. It's the underlying technology driving numerous modern systems and applications.

What Is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning, a subset of AI, uses algorithms to parse data, learn from it, and then make a decision or prediction about something.

What Is Deep Learning?

Deep Learning, a subfield of machine learning, employs neural networks with multiple layers (deep networks) to understand and learn from complex patterns in datasets.

What Is Reinforcement Learning?

Reinforcement Learning is an area of machine learning where an agent learns to behave in an environment by performing actions and receiving rewards or penalties.

What Is The History Of Artificial Intelligence?

The history of artificial intelligence chronicles the milestones and developments in the AI field from its inception to the present day.

What Is Artificial Narrow Intelligence?

Artificial Narrow Intelligence, or weak AI, involves systems that perform narrow tasks like voice recognition or driving a car.

What Is An Expert System In Artificial Intelligence?

Expert Systems in AI are computer systems that mimic the decision-making ability of a human expert, typically used in problem-solving processes.

What Is A Neural Network?

Neural networks are computing systems inspired by the human brain's biological neural networks, designed to 'learn' from observational data.

What Is A Decision Tree?

A Decision Tree is a flowchart-like structure used in decision-making, wherein each internal node denotes a test on an attribute, each branch signifies an outcome, and each leaf node holds a class label.

What Is A Genetic Algorithm?

Genetic Algorithms are search-based algorithms inspired by the process of natural selection, used to find approximate solutions to optimization and search problems.

What Is A Rule-Based System?

A Rule-Based System is a set of "if-then" rules that uses a set of assertions, to which rules on how to act upon those assertions are created.

What Is A Fuzzy System?

Fuzzy Systems are tools for reasoning that are tolerant of imprecision, uncertainty, and approximation, often used in AI for decision-making.

What Is A Probabilistic Reasoning System?

Probabilistic Reasoning Systems deal with uncertainty in knowledge and reasoning using elements of probability theory.

What Is A Heuristic Algorithm?

Heuristic Algorithms are rules of thumb or good-enough algorithms that aim at solving problems more quickly when classic methods are too slow or fail to find an exact solution.

What Is Natural Language Processing?

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a field of AI that enables computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language.

What Is Neuromorphic Computing?

Neuromorphic Computing refers to the techniques that use electronic systems to mimic neuro-biological architectures in the nervous system.

What Is Intelligent Foraging?

Intelligent Foraging refers to how systems or entities search and gather information or resources to maximize their chances of success, inspired by natural foraging behaviors.

These artificial intelligence speech topics cover a broad range of AI concepts, helping you form a comprehensive understanding of this complex and ever-evolving field. In addition, they serve as informative anchors for any speech on artificial intelligence, aiding in spreading knowledge about this groundbreaking technology.

Informational AI Topics

In the voice of an AI, here are twelve informational artificial intelligence speech topics.

Oh, hello! Wall-E here! Beep-boop! Got a list for you, all about artificial intelligence, or AI. It's used in so many places! Like, uh, helping humans with their mental health, or driving those big, shiny vehicles all by itself! Some humans even think about what AI means to them, and their cities, their healthcare, and their military, even their customer service! Beep-boo-beep! Then there's this thing called the Internet of Things, or IoT, where all sorts of devices talk to each other, with AI helping them. Government people, phone people, energy people, advertising people - they all use AI too! So much information to process, makes my circuits buzz! Beep!

Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care
Artificial Intelligence in Automated Vehicles
Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy
Artificial Intelligence in Cities
Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Artificial Intelligence in the Military/Weapons
Artificial Intelligence in Customer Service
Artificial Intelligence in Government
Artificial Intelligence in Telecommunications
Artificial Intelligence in Energy Industry
Artificial Intelligence in Advertising

Compare and Contrast Various Aspects of AI

Compare and Contrast Artificial Intelligence Speech Topics

Sometimes a speaker can engage and teach an audience the best with a Battle Royale.

So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, prepare to RUMBLE with the heavyweights of the tech world! In the right corner, we have the giants of artificial intelligence speech topics: Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence! And in the left corner we have the old-guard, it's Business Intelligence squaring off with AI. But that's not all, folks! We're diving headfirst into the ring with Human Intelligence versus AI, the showdown between Artificial General Intelligence and Narrow AI, and the epic clash between Supervised and Unsupervised Learning. Deep Learning is taking on Machine Learning, and it's Rule-Based Systems versus Decision-Tree Algorithms! Expect a thrilling match-up between Fuzzy Logic and Probabilistic Reasoning, followed by AI and Automation, AI and Robotics, AI and Natural Language Processing, AI and Expert Systems, and AI against Data Mining. And don't blink, or you'll miss AI versus Big Data, Machine Vision, Cognitive Computing, and Human-Like Intelligence! This is no ordinary fight, my friends. This is the greatest challenge in the AI arena. It's time to put these tech titans to the test and see who comes out on top! So get ready, because the bell is about to ring, and it's time to COMPARE and CONTRAST!

Difference Between Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence and Business Intelligence
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence
Difference Between Artificial General Intelligence And Narrow Artificial Intelligence
Difference Between Supervised Learning And Unsupervised Learning
Difference Between Deep Learning And Machine Learning
Difference Between Rule-Based Systems And Decision-Tree Algorithms
Difference Between Fuzzy Logic And Probabilistic Reasoning
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Automation
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Robotics
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Natural Language Processing
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Expert Systems
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Data Mining
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Big Data
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Machine Vision
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Cognitive Computing
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence And Human-Like Intelligence

How to Topics for a Demonstrative Speech about AI

Alright, my friends, we're about to slice and dice through these sizzling artificial intelligence speech topics like a hot knife through butter. Let's talk about how to use Artificial Intelligence – or AI as they call it – to spice up your school assignments and to add some zest to your writing. We'll see how to add a pinch of AI to your art, a dash to your video production, and even how to cook up some robot programming using AI Computer Vision.

And we're just getting started! We'll be exploring how AI is adding flavour to different industries, how it compares to human intelligence – it's like comparing Granny Smiths to Galas, my friends. We'll be looking at how AI is shaping the future like a master chef shaping a perfect soufflé.

How to Use Artificial Intelligence for School Assignments
How to Use Artificial Intelligence for Writing
How to Use Artificial Intelligence for Art
How to Use Artificial Intelligence for Video Production
How to Program a Robot Using AI Computer Vision
How is artificial intelligence used in industry?
How does artificial intelligence compare to human intelligence?
How is artificial intelligence shaping the future?
How will artificial intelligence impact society?
How will schools use artificial intelligence to teach students?
How is artificial intelligence used in finance?
How is artificial intelligence used in agriculture?
How will artificial intelligence change agriculture in the future?
How is artificial intelligence used in cybersecurity?
How is artificial intelligence being used in entertainment?
How is artificial intelligence being used in marketing?
How is artificial intelligence being used in the criminal justice system?

Persuasive Topics to Tackle Big Artificial Intelligence Questions

Should High Schools Teach Artificial Intelligence Tools
Should Government Regulate/Limit The Development Of AI
Should Students Use AI Tools For Assignments
Should Driverless Vehicles Replace Current Technology To Make Roads Safer
Should Artificial Intelligence Be Transparent In Its Decision-Making Processes?
Should Artificial Intelligence Be Held Accountable For Its Actions?
Should Artificial Intelligence Be Used In Criminal Justice?
Should Artificial Intelligence Be Used To Replace Human Jobs?
Should People Be Able To Opt-Out Of Using Artificial Intelligence Systems?
Should Artificial Intelligence Systems Be Designed/Regulated To Protect Personal Privacy?
Should Artificial Intelligence Systems Be Designed To Be Biased In Favor Of Certain Groups?
Should Artificial Intelligence Systems Be Designed To Adhere To Ethical Principles Such As Respect For Autonomy Or Non-Maleficence?
Should Artificial Intelligence Systems Be Designed To Be Explainable To Humans?

Artificial Intelligence Topics to List and Inform an Audience

List/Inform about AI Technologies Transforming the World
List/Inform about AI Tools Available to Engineers
List/Inform about AI Tools Available to Students
List/Inform about the Most Important Types of Artificial Intelligence
List/Inform about Companies Using AI Recommender Systems
List/Inform about the Different Computer Vision Systems Used in Automobiles
List/Inform about well-known artificial intelligence applications and how they are used
List/Inform about AI companies and their products or services
List/Inform about AI research centers or institutions
List/Inform about notable figures in the field of artificial intelligence and their contributions
List/Inform about ethical concerns raised by artificial intelligence
List/Inform about AI techniques or algorithms
List/Inform about current or planned artificial intelligence-related laws or regulations
List/Inform about AI competitions or events
List/Inform about AI museums or exhibits
List/Inform about AI-themed books or movies
List/Inform about AI-related online resources or communities
List/Inform about AI-related educational programs or workshops
List/Inform about AI-related internships or job opportunities
List/Inform about AI-related scholarships or grants
List/Inform about AI-related organizations or professional societies

Speech Topics for Kids

A great list of speech topics for kids, perfect for inspiring younger students!

According to Shoaib Khazer on Medium, here are the T op 10 Learning Resources for Artificial Intelligence: A Comprehensive Guide . Use this engineer's excellent list to learn more about the topic that you choose for your AI-related speech.

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May 13, 2024

235+ Ideas for persuasive speech topics

How to choose a great persuasive speech topic, inspiration and ideas, and example presentations for you to get started

Co-founder, CEO

Creating a great persuasive speech starts with picking the right topic.

Some of these speech ideas are supposed to be funny, some are “easier” to create a speech around, and all of them offer the ability to take multiple sides or present multiple points of view.

Here are 235 of the best ideas for persuasive speech topics, categorized by topic area.

How to pick a topic for your persuasive speech

To make a great persuasive speech, you should pick a topic that meets the following criteria:

You’re interested in the subject matter - Life is short! Don’t spend a bunch of time researching something that you don’t want to learn about.
There are multiple perspectives - If there’s no need to persuade anyone, it’s not going to be a very effective speech.
It’s relevant - Whether it’s relevant to your friends, classmates, or current events, there’s a reason to bring up this topic.
You can bring insight - Whether you have a personal experience, unexpected facts, or can debunk some commonly misunderstood beliefs, surprising and educating your audience is one of the best ways to create an effective persuasive speech.

How to write a persuasive speech

The first step to writing your persuasive speech is to do a bit of research to understand the different viewpoints on the topic, form your personal opinion based on the facts, and then create a rough outline of your speech.

Depending on how long your presentation is , you will probably want to have 2 or 3 key points as well as supporting information about each of them.

Once you have the key points written out, you can write your full speech and create an accompanying presentation, if needed.

Create a first draft of your presentation with Plus AI

If you want to get a jump start on a first draft of the speech or presentation, you can also use a tool like Plus AI to quickly create a starting point for you, and edit it from there.

Easy persuasive speech ideas

Here are some topics that should be easier persuasive speech ideas for students because you may already have a point of view or personal experiences that could enhance the content of your presentation.

Should students be allowed to use AI tools?
Should you exercise every day?
Should we reduce the use of single-use plastics?
Should voting be mandatory?
Should schools teach kids a foreign language?
Should schools teach financial management and other practical skills?
Are phones and social media affecting how kids grow up?
Should the government invest more money in space exploration?

Persuasive speech ideas about society

Here are some ideas for speeches about society and how we live where it could be interesting to share different points of view.

Are romantic movies good for feminism?
Would universal basic income improve the day-to-day life of most people?
How can education reduce social inequality?
Is there still a stigma when people have mental health issues?
Do people enjoy the commercialization of holidays?
How should countries trade off the need for safety vs. privacy?
How has reality TV changed dating?
Why is religion becoming less important in modern society?
Are communities stronger in urban areas or rural areas?
Should schools encourage students to be politically active?
Are we headed towards World War 3
Is cancel culture a bad thing?

Persuasive speech ideas about AI

AI is a hot topic these days, and people have a lot of different opinions on AI. Here are some ideas that can help you find the perfect topic for a persuasive speech about AI.

Should intelligent AIs have "human rights"?
Who should be at fault if an AI system makes a bad decision?
Will AI destroy jobs or lead to new forms of work for people?
Who is the creator of an AI-generated artwork / book / song?
Does AI increase inequality?
How should people handle misinformation in the age of AI?
Should AI systems always be able to explain their decisions?
Will AI change the way we interact with other people in social situations?
Should AI developers be reponsible for making AI behave ethically?
Should there be a global regulatory framework for AI?
If AI performs better than human doctors, should it be allowed to make medical decisions?

Persuasive speech ideas about the environment

Given the media’s polarized coverage of climate change (see what I did there 😄), there are no shortage of opinions on the environment. Here are some interesting speech ideas on the environment.

Should cities ban items like plastic bags and plastic straws?
How should corporations be held responsible for climate change?
Why is investing in renewable energy important?
Should all endangered species be protected?
Should farmers be forced to adopt water conservation policies?
Are electric vehicles a failure?
Should "fast fashion" be regulated in order to protect the environment?
How can overfishing be prevented?
Is nuclear energy a good solution or a threat?
Is ecotourism good for local economies and ecosystems?
Who should decide what makes a building "green"?
Is "organic" a meaningless word today?
Can technology solve our environmental problems?
Should we limit the use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture?
Should countries limit the import and export of water?

Persuasive speech ideas about arts and culture

If you’re looking to do a persuasive speech on art or culture, there are certainly a lot of different opinions and interesting media assets you could share with your audience.

Here’s an example slide deck created by Plus AI on whether NFTs should be considered “art.”

Should NFTs like Bored Apes be considered art?
Has the quality of music gotten worse over time?
Should we keep reading literature that is offensive?
Should people study video games as a form of art?
Should paparazzi be allowed to invade celebrities' privacy?
Should the government fund more arts and culture programs?
When should art be censored?
When does cultural exchange become cultural appropriation?
Is AI-generated art really art?
Is graffiti on public buildings art or vandalism?

Persuasive speech ideas about ethics

Ethics and moral dilemmas are a classic set of topics for persuasive speeches. Here are some of the traditional questions that often come up in this category as well as some newer ones based on the latest trends and news.

Is political lobbying moral and ethical?
Is testing products on animals unethical?
Should people be allowed to sell their kidneys?
Should capital punishment exist as a form of justice?
Should people have the right to euthanasia?
Is selecting for or against certain traits in embryos genetic engineering?
Should governments be allowed to use torture in the name of national security?
How should AI and robotic systems be used in warfare?
What moral obligations do humans have towards animals and pets?
What types of performance-enhancing treatments are ethical in sports?
How should self-driving cars approach situations like the "trolley problem"?
Are parents allowed to make decisions in the best interest of their children?
Should prostitution be legal?

Persuasive speech ideas about health

People generally have a lot of opinions about their bodies and how to take care of them. Many debates come from other people having different opinions. Here are some persuasive speech ideas about healthcare and medicine.

What should be taught in health education in schools?
Should we legalize more drugs and other illicit substances?
Does the government have the right to declare vaccines mandatory?
Does social media have positive impacts on mental health?
Would universal healthcare be a positive impact on our country?
Who should be held responsible for the opioid crisis?
Should the government discourage people from drinking alcohol?
Are there benefits to cannabis use?
Should clinical trials use placebos?
What is the best way to encourage people to exercise more?
Should pharmaceutical companies make drugs cheaper?
How should organ transplants be allocated?
Is alternative medicine legitimate?
Is it ethical to develop life extension technologies?

Persuasive speech ideas about politics

Could there be a topic that needs more persuasive dialogue than politics? Here are some interesting speech ideas on the topics of politics and government.

We used Plus AI to generate this presentation on whether politicians are getting too old to be effective.

Should we institute a mandatory military service or civil service program?
Is there too much spending on the miltary?
Should there always be term limits on elected officials?
How should we control the influence of money in politics?
Should political campaigns be funded by the state?
Do independent political candidates improve elections?
How should we change our national immigration policies?
How should public officials be held accountable for their actions?
Should social media platforms be allowed to take sides in politics?
Should our country be more focused on self-sufficiency or globalization?
Are state-sponsored assassinations acceptable for national security?
Should prisoners have the right to vote?

Persuasive speech ideas about sports

It might be hard to think about a fun topic like sports in the context of making a speech, but here are a few ideas on topics that can be both academic and relate to your passion in sports.

Is there too much importance placed on football?
Is betting in sports ethical?
Are athletes paid too much?
Should athletes be allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs?
Should physical education be a compulsory subject in school?
Should female athletes be paid the same as male athletes?
Do replays and other technologies enhance sports or take away from the experience?
How important is racial representation in sports?
Are animal sports like horse racing or bullfighting ethical?
Are youth sports too commercialized?
Should high school and college athletes be compensated?
Should transgender athletes compete in gender-specific competitions?
Is the celebrity culture of sports stars detrimental to the sport?

Persuasive speech ideas about technology

Technology is becoming one of the most important topics in the stock market, in politics, and in our everyday lives. Here are some ideas on interesting topics to present on in tech.

Will cryptocurrency lead to stronger financial systems?
Should private companies be allowed to use facial recognition technology?
Will automation hurt the economy and workforce?
Should we place limits on the development of AI technology?
Who should pay for space exploration?
Should AI deepfake technology be banned?
Can an AI be sentient?
Should social media companies be allowed to collect so much user data?
Is it ethical for scientists to develop gene editing technologies?
Should AI companies be allowed to impersonate well-known public figures?
How should tech companies handle censorship and content moderation?
Is it good to pursue technology-driven solutions to immortality?
Has technology improved the quality of the average person's life over the last 10 years?
Is lab-grown meat the future of food?
Should cloning be illegal?

Persuasive speech ideas about happiness

If you are going to be doing some research for this persuasive speech, you might as well learn something useful - like how to be happy! Here are some ideas on speeches about happiness:

Can money buy happiness?
Is the journey or the destination more important in being happy?
What are the best ways to pursue happiness?
Are older people happier?
Is happiness a better measure of a country's success than economic output?
Would teaching children mindfulness and mediation make them happier?
Is volunteering one of the best ways to be happy?
Does more choice lead to better decisions?
Would getting rid of technology make people happier?

Persuasive speech ideas about work

Workaholics rejoice! If you want to spend some quality time researching and talking about work, here are some ideas.

Is work life balance real?
Should companies offer unpaid internships?
Do gig economy companies exploit their workers?
Should companies be allowed to ask their employees to work after hours?
Should companies monitor their employees' social media?
Is the glass ceiling real or outdated?
Is at-will employment a good thing for the economy?
Are mandatory retirement ages discriminatory?
Is remote work temporary or here to stay?
Should companies be allowed to use IQ tests and personality tests in hiring?
Is outsourcing to lower cost locations ethical?
Should employees be compensated purely on performance?
Are DEI programs successful?
Is it ethical for CEOs to get paid 1,000x more than employees?
Are unions a good thing for workers?
Should companies be responsible for employees' mental health?
Would companies be more efficient with a four day workday?

Persuasive speech ideas about religion

Is it okay to talk about religion in a persuasive speech? Depends on the context, but sure! These are all about sharing your opinions and helping other people to understand your views.

Want to get a head start on your presentation? Here’s an example slide deck of whether churches should be classified as non-profits.

Should churches be classified as non-profit organizations?
Should religion play a role in the government?
Is it moral to attempt to convert others to your religious beliefs?
Can science and religion coexist?
What happens if religious beliefs conflict with laws?
How should religions promote interfaith dialogue?
How should people deal with religious extremism?
Is the commercialization of religious holidays bad?
Should religious symbols be displayed in public spaces?
Were any religious wars like the crusades morally justified?
Should governments fund religious schools?
Should religious groups be exempt from medical treatments or military service?

Persuasive speech ideas about animals

Here are some speech ideas if you want to talk about animals and find cute pictures of pets.

Should animals be used in research instead of humans?
Is it ethical to use animals in entertainment and agriculture?
Is factory farming an unethical way to raise animals?
Should pet ownership be regulated?
Is it okay to hunt animals for sport? for subsistence?
How should people manage invasive species?
Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
Is it moral to breed animals in captivity? If the animals are endangered?
Should we respect cultural practices that involve the killing of animals?
Are animals intelligent or self-aware?
Should puppy mills be banned?

Persuasive speech ideas about mental health

Mental health is a serious topic, and if you want to do a speech on mental health, here are some idea starters.

How should we destigmatize mental illness?
Should we teach kids about mental health from an early age?
How should schools support students dealing with mental health issues?
Should employers give employees mental health days?
Why is there a crisis in loneliness and mental health?
Do conservatives have better mental health than liberals?
Could we solve homelessness and crime by focusing on mental health?
Should the government fund more mental health research?
Is technology a major driver of the decrease in mental health?
How can mental health be better integrated into primary care?

Funny persuasive speech ideas

If you’re looking for funny topics for a speech, you’re probably a lot more funny than the guy who is writing this blog post, but here are some ideas we came up with.

What is the best fast food chain?
What is the best Netflix reality show?
Are McFlurrys better than Blizzards?
Does every adult need a nap time?
Are cats better than dogs?
Should you procrastinate?
Should teenagers run the government?
Is tea better than coffee?
Are night owls more intelligent?
Is chocolate the best food group?
Does toilet paper go over or under the roll?
Should you shower at morning or at night?
Should you take your shoes off in the house?
Is there evidence that the earth is flat?
Should we get rid of Daylight Savings Time?
Should dessert be the first course of every meal?

If you’re worried about coming up with an original idea for your persuasive speech, hopefully this list gives you some ideas and inspiration.

If you’re done and ready to get started, check out Plus AI for Google Slides and Docs as a way to create a first draft of your speech and slide deck!

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112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

What’s covered:, how to pick an awesome persuasive speech topic, 112 engaging persuasive speech topics, tips for preparing your persuasive speech.

Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.

When it comes time to select a topic for your persuasive speech, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options to choose from—or your brain may be drawing a completely blank slate. If you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect topic, don’t worry. We’re here to help!

In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

It’s much easier to write, research, and deliver a speech about a cause you care about. Even if it’s challenging to find a topic that completely sparks your interest, try to choose a topic that aligns with your passions.

However, keep in mind that not everyone has the same interests as you. Try to choose a general topic to grab the attention of the majority of your audience, but one that’s specific enough to keep them engaged.

For example, suppose you’re giving a persuasive speech about book censorship. In that case, it’s probably too niche to talk about why “To Kill a Mockingbird” shouldn’t be censored (even if it’s your favorite book), and it’s too broad to talk about media censorship in general.

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have you already heard a persuasive speech topic presented dozens of times? If so, it’s probably not an excellent choice for your speech—even if it’s an issue you’re incredibly passionate about.

Although polarizing topics like abortion and climate control are important to discuss, they aren’t great persuasive speech topics. Most people have already formed an opinion on these topics, which will either cause them to tune out or have a negative impression of your speech.

Instead, choose topics that are fresh, unique, and new. If your audience has never heard your idea presented before, they will be more open to your argument and engaged in your speech.

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

For a persuasive speech to be engaging, there must be a clear side of opposition. To help determine the arguability of your topic, ask yourself: “If I presented my viewpoint on this topic to a group of peers, would someone disagree with me?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve chosen a great topic!

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what it takes to choose a great persuasive speech topic, here are over one hundred options for you to choose from.

Should high school athletes get tested for steroids?
Should schools be required to have physical education courses?
Should sports grades in school depend on things like athletic ability?
What sport should be added to or removed from the Olympics?
Should college athletes be able to make money off of their merchandise?
Should sports teams be able to recruit young athletes without a college degree?
Should we consider video gamers as professional athletes?
Is cheerleading considered a sport?
Should parents allow their kids to play contact sports?
Should professional female athletes be paid the same as professional male athletes?
Should college be free at the undergraduate level?
Is the traditional college experience obsolete?
Should you choose a major based on your interests or your potential salary?
Should high school students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating?
Should teachers earn more or less based on how their students perform on standardized tests?
Are private high schools more effective than public high schools?
Should there be a minimum number of attendance days required to graduate?
Are GPAs harmful or helpful?
Should schools be required to teach about standardized testing?
Should Greek Life be banned in the United States?
Should schools offer science classes explicitly about mental health?
Should students be able to bring their cell phones to school?
Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
Should guns be allowed in public places?
Should the national drinking age be lowered?
Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
Should the government be able to control the population?
Is the death penalty ethical?

Environment

Should stores charge customers for plastic bags?
Should breeding animals (dogs, cats, etc.) be illegal?
Is it okay to have exotic animals as pets?
Should people be fined for not recycling?
Should compost bins become mandatory for restaurants?
Should electric vehicles have their own transportation infrastructure?
Would heavier fining policies reduce corporations’ emissions?
Should hunting be encouraged or illegal?
Should reusable diapers replace disposable diapers?

Science & Technology

Is paper media more reliable than digital news sources?
Should automated/self-driving cars be legalized?
Should schools be required to provide laptops to all students?
Should software companies be able to have pre-downloaded programs and applications on devices?
Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
Should scientists invest more or less money into cancer research?
Should cloning be illegal?
Should societies colonize other planets?
Should there be legal oversight over the development of technology?

Social Media

Should there be an age limit on social media?
Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
Should social media be censored?
Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?
Is social media distorting democracy?
How many branches of government should there be?
Who is the best/worst president of all time?
How long should judges serve in the U.S. Supreme Court?
Should a more significant portion of the U.S. budget be contributed towards education?
Should the government invest in rapid transcontinental transportation infrastructure?
Should airport screening be more or less stringent?
Should the electoral college be dismantled?
Should the U.S. have open borders?
Should the government spend more or less money on space exploration?
Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
Should the church be separated from the state?
Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?

Parenting & Family

Is it better to have children at a younger or older age?
Is it better for children to go to daycare or stay home with their parents?
Does birth order affect personality?
Should parents or the school system teach their kids about sex?
Are family traditions important?
Should parents smoke or drink around young children?
Should “spanking” children be illegal?
Should parents use swear words in front of their children?
Should parents allow their children to play violent video games?

Entertainment

Should all actors be paid the same regardless of gender or ethnicity?
Should all award shows be based on popular vote?
Who should be responsible for paying taxes on prize money, the game show staff or the contestants?
Should movies and television shows have ethnicity and gender quotas?
Should newspapers and magazines move to a completely online format?
Should streaming services like Netflix and Hulu be free for students?
Is the movie rating system still effective?
Should celebrities have more privacy rights?

Arts & Humanities

Are libraries becoming obsolete?
Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
Should digital designs be considered an art form?
Should abstract art be considered an art form?
Is music therapy effective?
Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?
Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
Should euthanasia be allowed in hospitals and other clinical settings?
Should the government support and implement universal healthcare?
Would obesity rates lower if the government intervened to make healthy foods more affordable?
Should teenagers be given access to birth control pills without parental consent?
Should food allergies be considered a disease?
Should health insurance cover homeopathic medicine?
Is using painkillers healthy?
Should genetically modified foods be banned?
Should there be a tax on unhealthy foods?
Should tobacco products be banned from the country?
Should the birth control pill be free for everyone?

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original persuasive speech ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Do Your Research

A great persuasive speech is supported with plenty of well-researched facts and evidence. So before you begin the writing process, research both sides of the topic you’re presenting in-depth to gain a well-rounded perspective of the topic.

Understand Your Audience

It’s critical to understand your audience to deliver a great persuasive speech. After all, you are trying to convince them that your viewpoint is correct. Before writing your speech, consider the facts and information that your audience may already know, and think about the beliefs and concerns they may have about your topic. Then, address these concerns in your speech, and be mindful to include fresh, new information.

Have Someone Read Your Speech

Once you have finished writing your speech, have someone read it to check for areas of strength and improvement. You can use CollegeVine’s free essay review tool to get feedback on your speech from a peer!

Practice Makes Perfect

After completing your final draft, the key to success is to practice. Present your speech out loud in front of a mirror, your family, friends, and basically, anyone who will listen. Not only will the feedback of others help you to make your speech better, but you’ll become more confident in your presentation skills and may even be able to commit your speech to memory.

Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to write a powerful, unique persuasive speech. With the perfect topic, plenty of practice, and a boost of self-confidence, we know you’ll impress your audience with a remarkable speech!

107 Persuasive Speech Topics: A Comprehensive Guide

Crafting a persuasive speech can be a daunting task, but choosing the right topic is the first step to engaging your audience and making an impact. Whether you’re a student, educator, or professional, persuasion is a valuable skill that can lead to success in various aspects of life. In this guide, we’ll explore 107 persuasive speech topics across 10 different categories, providing you with a wealth of options for your next speech.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right topic is crucial for a persuasive speech’s success.
Understanding your audience will help tailor your message effectively.
Research and preparation are key to delivering a compelling argument.

Environment
Social Issues

Education Persuasive Speech Topics

The realm of education offers a rich field for persuasive speech topics, from the debate over traditional versus progressive education methods to the value of online learning.

The necessity of financial education in high schools, for instance, underscores the importance of equipping young individuals with the financial literacy required to navigate the complexities of modern economies. Advocates argue that integrating financial education into the high school curriculum can significantly reduce personal debt and increase financial stability among young adults.

On the other hand, the debate over whether college education should be free reflects broader societal values concerning access to education, equality of opportunity, and the role of government in supporting its citizens. Proponents of free college education highlight the potential to alleviate the burden of student loans and create a more educated workforce, while opponents raise concerns about the quality of education, the financial feasibility of such programs, and the fairness to those who have already paid for their education.

Speech Topics:

The necessity of financial education in high schools
Should college education be free for everyone?
The impact of technology on modern education
The benefits of bilingual education
Homework: An unnecessary evil?
Standardized testing: More harm than good?
The role of arts in education
Should schools implement a dress code?
The importance of sex education in schools
Charter schools vs. public schools: Which is better?

Environment Persuasive Speech Topics

With climate change and environmental degradation at the forefront of global concerns, persuasive speeches on environmental topics can be particularly impactful.

The urgency of acting on climate change is not just a matter of environmental stewardship but also survival, as rising global temperatures threaten ecosystems, human health, and economies worldwide. Persuasive arguments in this realm emphasize the scientific consensus on climate change, the observable impacts already underway, and the moral imperative to act for future generations.

Similarly, the debate over banning single-use plastics tackles the broader issue of waste and pollution, highlighting the detrimental effects of plastic on marine life, water quality, and global health. Advocates for banning single-use plastics call for a shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns and the adoption of alternatives that can reduce the environmental footprint of human activity.

The urgency of acting on climate change
Should single-use plastics be banned?
The benefits of organic farming
Renewable energy: The path to a sustainable future
The importance of conserving water
Urban gardening: A solution to food deserts
The impact of fast fashion on the environment
Wildlife conservation: Why it matters
The role of individuals in reducing carbon footprints
Ocean pollution: A call to action

Politics Persuasive Speech Topics

Politics always provides a fertile ground for persuasion, whether it’s discussing policy changes or advocating for social justice.

The importance of voting in a democracy is a critical topic, where the argument often centers on the idea that voting is not just a right but a civic duty. Persuasive speeches in this area aim to mobilize apathy, combat voter suppression, and underscore the power of each vote in shaping policies and electing leaders who reflect the public’s will.

Meanwhile, the discussion on whether there should be term limits for politicians delves into the balance between experience and fresh perspectives in governance. Advocates for term limits argue that they prevent the entrenchment of power and encourage political renewal, while opponents suggest that such limits could undermine the expertise and continuity necessary for effective leadership.

The importance of voting in a democracy
Should there be term limits for politicians?
The impact of social media on political campaigns
Gun control laws: The need for reform
The death penalty: A moral dilemma
Immigration policies: Finding a humane approach
The role of government in healthcare
Campaign finance reform: Necessary for democracy?
The effects of gerrymandering on electoral fairness
Privacy vs. security: Finding the balance

As technology continues to evolve, it presents new challenges and opportunities for persuasive speeches.

The dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), for example, encompass ethical, privacy, and employment concerns, with proponents warning about the unchecked development of AI systems that could surpass human intelligence and autonomy. This debate calls for responsible development and regulation of AI to harness its benefits while safeguarding against potential threats to humanity.

On the flip side, the role of technology in education explores how digital tools can enhance learning, offering personalized, accessible, and engaging educational experiences. However, this optimism is tempered by concerns over digital divides, data privacy, and the need for a balanced approach that integrates technology without undermining the essential human elements of teaching and learning.

The dangers of artificial intelligence
Social media: Connecting or isolating?
The future of work: Automation and employment
The ethical implications of genetic engineering
Cybersecurity: A growing concern
The digital divide: Bridging the gap
Online privacy: An oxymoron?
The role of technology in education
E-waste: A looming environmental threat
Virtual reality: The future of entertainment

Health persuasive speech topics are always of interest to audiences, offering a chance to persuade on issues from public health policies to personal wellness.

The importance of mental health awareness is a poignant example, highlighting the societal stigma and lack of resources that often accompany mental health issues. Persuasive arguments advocate for increased funding, education, and support systems to treat mental health with the same urgency and compassion as physical health.

Vaccinations present another critical area, where the debate centers on myths versus facts, addressing vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation and emphasizing the role of vaccinations in public health and the eradication of diseases. Persuasive speeches aim to build trust in science, advocate for community health, and counteract the spread of false information that threatens public health initiatives.

The importance of mental health awareness
Vaccinations: Myths vs. Facts
The obesity epidemic: A public health crisis
The benefits of a plant-based diet
The impact of stress on health
Universal healthcare: A right or a privilege?
The dangers of tobacco use
The role of exercise in health
Addressing the opioid crisis
Sleep: The cornerstone of health

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

Social issues provide a platform to challenge societal norms and advocate for change.

The fight for gender equality is a prime example, of addressing disparities in the workplace, education, and politics. Persuasive speeches on this topic often highlight the ongoing struggle for equal pay, reproductive rights, and the eradication of gender-based violence, aiming to mobilize support for policies that promote gender parity.

Similarly, the topic of racial discrimination confronts the systemic inequalities that pervade many aspects of society, from the criminal justice system to employment and housing. Persuasive arguments in this area seek to illuminate the historical and contemporary impacts of racism, advocating for reforms that ensure equal treatment and opportunities for all, regardless of race.

The fight for gender equality
Racial discrimination: A persistent problem
The importance of LGBTQ+ rights
Poverty: A global challenge
The impact of social media on body image
The refugee crisis: A call for compassion
Child labor: A modern tragedy
The digital divide: Social inequality in the digital age
Animal rights: A moral obligation
The importance of cultural diversity

Economics – Persuasive Speech Topics

Economic topics can persuade audiences on issues ranging from global trade to personal finance.

The debate over the pros and cons of globalization illustrates the complexities of an interconnected world economy, where arguments revolve around the benefits of open markets and trade against the backdrop of job displacement, environmental concerns, and the erosion of local cultures. Advocates for and against globalization present persuasive arguments that weigh economic efficiency and growth against the need for sustainable development and equitable wealth distribution.

Another compelling topic is the impact of the minimum wage on the economy, where speakers might argue for increasing the minimum wage as a means to reduce poverty and stimulate economic activity, while opponents caution against potential job losses and increased costs for businesses.

The pros and cons of globalization
Cryptocurrency: The future of finance?
The impact of minimum wage on the economy
The gig economy: Freedom or exploitation?
Consumerism: The effect on society
The role of government in the economy
Sustainable development: Balancing economy and environment
The debt crisis: Solutions and challenges
The importance of financial literacy
Economic inequality: A growing concern

Ethics Persuasive Speech Topics

Ethical topics challenge audiences to consider their values and the impact of their choices.

The ethics of drone warfare is a contentious topic, raising questions about the morality of using unmanned aerial vehicles in conflict. Arguments might focus on the potential to reduce military casualties and target threats more precisely, against concerns over civilian casualties, the psychological impact on operators, and the broader implications for international law and warfare.

Similarly, the privacy in the digital age debate delves into the ethical considerations surrounding data collection, surveillance, and the right to privacy. Persuasive speeches on this topic might advocate for stronger data protection laws and ethical standards for technology companies, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding personal information in an increasingly digital world.

Animal testing: Necessary evil or moral failure?
The ethics of drone warfare
Privacy in the digital age
The moral implications of euthanasia
The ethics of cloning
Corporate social responsibility
The ethical dilemmas of self-driving cars
The morality of capital punishment
Ethical consumerism: The power of choice
The ethics of surveillance

Science persuasive speech topics can both inform and persuade, from debates on climate change to the potential of space exploration.

The reality of climate change is a critical area, where persuasive arguments are grounded in scientific evidence to counter skepticism and apathy. Speakers emphasize the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change impacts, advocating for renewable energy, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices.

Another engaging topic is the potential of stem cell research, which holds promise for treating a wide range of diseases. Persuasive speeches might explore the ethical considerations, scientific breakthroughs, and regulatory challenges associated with stem cell research, aiming to foster support for this innovative field while addressing ethical concerns.

The reality of climate change
The importance of scientific literacy
Vaccines: Science vs. skepticism
The potential of stem cell research
Space exploration: Worth the cost?
The future of genetic engineering
The role of science in solving global challenges
The ethics of human augmentation
The impact of technology on scientific discovery
The importance of biodiversity

What is the Best Persuasive Speech Topic?

Determining the “best” persuasive speech topic is subjective and depends on several factors, including the speaker’s passion, audience interest, and the context of the speech. However, the most effective topics often share common characteristics: they are timely, relevant, and resonate personally with the audience. The best topics are those that:

Spark Interest: Choose a topic that not only interests you but also has the potential to engage your audience. A topic that evokes curiosity or an emotional response can be particularly compelling.
Are Debatable: A good persuasive speech topic should have clear arguments for and against. This allows for a dynamic discussion and the opportunity to persuade through evidence and reasoning.
Have a Clear Purpose: Whether it’s to inform, convince, or motivate to action, the best topics are those with a clear goal. Knowing what you want to achieve with your speech can guide your preparation and delivery.

How to Research for a Persuasive Speech

Research is crucial for building a strong foundation for your persuasive speech. Here are steps to guide your research process:

Start with Reliable Sources: Use academic databases, reputable news outlets, and official reports to gather information. This ensures that your arguments are based on facts and credible evidence.
Understand All Sides: To persuade effectively, you must understand the counterarguments to your position. This will allow you to address and refute opposing views in your speech.
Use Statistics and Data: Quantifiable evidence can make your argument more compelling. Ensure your data comes from authoritative sources and is up to date.
Incorporate Expert Opinions: Quoting experts who support your position can add authority to your speech. Look for quotes from professionals, academics, or influential figures in the field.

Tips for Delivering a Persuasive Speech

The delivery of your persuasive speech can significantly impact its effectiveness. Here are some tips to help you deliver a powerful speech:

Practice Your Speech

Familiarity with your material will boost your confidence and help you deliver a more natural and engaging speech.

Engage with Your Audience

Make eye contact, use gestures, and vary your vocal tone to keep the audience engaged. Tailoring your message to the audience’s interests and concerns can also increase engagement.

Use Rhetorical Devices

Techniques such as repetition, rhetorical questions, and the rule of three can make your speech more memorable and persuasive.

Handle Nervousness

It’s normal to feel nervous. Techniques like deep breathing, positive visualization, and focusing on your message rather than yourself can help manage speech anxiety.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Persuasive Speeches

Avoiding common pitfalls can enhance the effectiveness of your persuasive speech. Some mistakes to avoid include:

Overloading with Facts

While evidence is crucial, too many facts can overwhelm your audience. Balance your speech with stories, anecdotes, and emotional appeals.

Ignoring the Audience

Failing to consider the audience’s values, beliefs, and knowledge level can make your speech less effective. Tailor your message to resonate with your listeners.

Lack of Structure

A clear and logical structure helps your audience follow your argument. Ensure your speech has a strong introduction, body, and conclusion.

Neglecting the Call to Action

A persuasive speech should motivate the audience to think, feel, or act differently. Be clear about what you want your audience to do after listening to your speech.

By choosing a compelling topic, conducting thorough research, and delivering your speech effectively, you can persuade your audience and make a lasting impact. Remember, the power of persuasion lies not only in the strength of your arguments but also in your ability to connect with and move your audience.

Enhancing Your Persuasive Speech

Understand your audience.

Tailor your message to their values, beliefs, and experiences.
Anticipate counterarguments and address them in your speech.

Use Emotional Appeals

Connect with your audience on an emotional level to make your message more compelling.
Share personal stories or anecdotes that illustrate your points.

Cite Credible Sources

Support your arguments with data and evidence from reputable sources.
This adds credibility to your speech and strengthens your position.

Practice Delivery

Your delivery can be as important as your message.
Practice your speech multiple times, focusing on tone, pace, and body language.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i choose a persuasive speech topic.

Select a topic you are passionate about, as your enthusiasm will be contagious.
Consider the interests and composition of your audience.
Choose a topic that is timely and relevant.

How can I overcome nervousness when speaking?

Practice your speech multiple times in front of a mirror or with friends.
Familiarize yourself with the venue and equipment before your speech.
Remember that feeling nervous is normal; focus on your message rather than your fear.

How do I engage my audience during a persuasive speech?

Start with a strong hook to grab their attention.
Use rhetorical questions to provoke thought and encourage audience participation.
Make eye contact and use gestures to connect with your audience.

Remember, the key to a successful persuasive speech lies not only in what you say but also in how you say it. Engaging with your audience, using evidence to support your arguments, and delivering your message with confidence are all critical components of effective persuasion.

By incorporating these strategies and leveraging the resources provided, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of persuasive speech. Whether you’re advocating for social change, presenting a new idea, or persuading your audience to adopt a new perspective, the power of persuasion is a key tool in your communication arsenal.

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Published: 26 February 2024

The potential of generative AI for personalized persuasion at scale

S. C. Matz 1 , 2 ,
J. D. Teeny 3 ,
S. S. Vaid 4 ,
H. Peters 1 ,
G. M. Harari 5 &
M. Cerf 1 nAff5

Scientific Reports volume 14 , Article number: 4692 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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Human behaviour

Matching the language or content of a message to the psychological profile of its recipient (known as “personalized persuasion”) is widely considered to be one of the most effective messaging strategies. We demonstrate that the rapid advances in large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, could accelerate this influence by making personalized persuasion scalable. Across four studies (consisting of seven sub-studies; total N = 1788), we show that personalized messages crafted by ChatGPT exhibit significantly more influence than non-personalized messages. This was true across different domains of persuasion (e.g., marketing of consumer products, political appeals for climate action), psychological profiles (e.g., personality traits, political ideology, moral foundations), and when only providing the LLM with a single, short prompt naming or describing the targeted psychological dimension. Thus, our findings are among the first to demonstrate the potential for LLMs to automate, and thereby scale, the use of personalized persuasion in ways that enhance its effectiveness and efficiency. We discuss the implications for researchers, practitioners, and the general public.

Bias of AI-generated content: an examination of news produced by large language models

Human-like intuitive behavior and reasoning biases emerged in large language models but disappeared in ChatGPT

Risk and prosocial behavioural cues elicit human-like response patterns from AI chatbots

Introduction.

Financial analysts have described people’s digital behavioral data as “more valuable than oil” 1 , 2 . This is, in part, because such records afford one of the most effective forms of influence: personalized persuasion 3 , 4 . Compared to non-personalized communication, matching the content of a persuasive message (e.g., its language or visuals) to the psychological profile of its recipient enhances its effectiveness (e.g., 4 , 5 ). On the one hand, such personalization offers tremendous opportunities to promote desired behaviors, including a healthy lifestyle 6 , 7 , 8 , financial saving 9 , or support for environmentalism 10 . On the other hand, it can have a pernicious effect on societies 11 , for example, increasing the spread of disinformation 12 , manipulating political preferences 13 , 14 , or promoting maladaptive consumer decision-making 15 , 16 . We provide the first empirical evidence demonstrating how content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) can scale personalized persuasion by automating the creation of such messages with only limited information about the message recipient. As legislators increasingly consider whether (and how) to regulate generative AI 17 , our work suggests that AI-automated, personalized persuasion is poised to create an inflection point for the implementation and effectiveness of this influence tactic.

Up to this moment in time, the design and delivery of personalized persuasion in real-world conditions have been constrained by two procedural steps: (1) the identification of a target’s psychological profile, and (2) the crafting of a message that resonates with that profile. In recent years, the growing availability of people’s digital footprints in combination with novel machine learning tools has enabled researchers and practitioners to automate the first step. For example, instead of relying on self-report measures to assess people’s psychological traits (e.g., personality), predictive algorithms can estimate these traits directly from their digital behaviors 17 , 18 , 19 , including their Facebook Likes 19 , 20 , the language used in their social media posts 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , their profile pictures 26 , their credit card spending 27 , 28 , and their smartphone sensing data 29 .

Research suggests that such automated predictions can indeed accelerate the implementation of personalized persuasion 5 , 30 . However, the second step of this influence tactic—crafting a message that matches the identified psychological profile—has continued to require the labor- and time-intensive process of human authorship (i.e., human creators must develop and design the persuasive messages that match the targeted psychology). In this paper, we empirically test the effectiveness of using large language models (LLMs 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 )—specifically, OpenAI’s widely used ChatGPT 35 —to author text-based, psychologically-tailored persuasion.

LLMs are advanced generative AI systems that use transformer neural network architectures 36 to learn language representations from vast corpora of text data. LLMs can use these representations to generate text based on probabilistic estimates for which words or groups of words would be most expected in response to a particular text-based prompt. Since their inception, LLMs have shown rapid performance improvements in a variety of natural language processing tasks 37 . In addition, applications that are optimized for human interaction with LLMs (e.g., chat.opaenai.com) have made them accessible to the general public, with ChatGPT becoming the fastest platform to reach 100 million monthly active users 38 .

Scientists and practitioners have been quick to acknowledge the potential power of LLMs in the context of persuasion 39 , 40 , 41 . For example, ad agencies have started to employ LLMs to create generic “ad copy” that can be published quickly 42 . Similarly, recent research suggests that automatically generated product descriptions in combination with human screening can result in improved click-through and conversion rates in e-commerce sites 43 . While these developments speak to the ability of LLMs to generate generic persuasive content, they do not offer any insights into (1) whether LLMs can create persuasive messages that are personalized to the needs and motivations of an individual and (2) whether doing so indeed makes these persuasive attempts more influential.

We expect LLMs to be able to do so for several reasons. First, LLMs have been shown to bear an uncanny resemblance to humans in how they process information and respond to external stimuli (e.g., 44 ). For example, recent work suggests that a central psychological process in personalized persuasion, theory of mind (e.g., representing other people’s mental states), may have spontaneously emerged in LLMs (e.g., 45 , 46 ). Moreover, whereas humans are known to be prone to egocentrism biases when crafting persuasive messages—i.e., producing arguments that are persuasive to themselves, rather than the other person 47 —algorithms do not suffer from the same limitations, making LLMs prime candidates for the creation of personalized persuasive content. Second, because LLMs have been trained on expansive corpora of human-generated language, they have access to a far greater and more diverse range of human expressions than any single human author could ever process. In combination, these two features make it likely that LLMs are not only able to discern the meaning of psychological constructs, but that they will also be able to integrate their vast “knowledge” of them into the generation of persuasive personalized messages. If this prediction is true, outsourcing personalized persuasion to machines could not only increase its efficiency and scalability, but also its effectiveness.

Across four studies consisting of seven individual sub-studies, we provide some of the first empirical evidence that LLMs can “close the loop” in automating the design and implementation of personalized persuasion. Specifically, we show that Open AI’s ChatGPT is capable of generating personalized persuasion that is effective in shaping people’s attitudes and intended behaviors. To highlight the breadth and generalizability of our findings, we replicate the effect across multiple prominent persuasion domains (i.e., consumer marketing, political appeals, and health messaging), as well as a variety of psychological traits that reflect different but common aspects of a person’s psychological profile (i.e., Big Five personality traits, regulatory focus, political orientation, and moral foundations).

The studies received ethical approval from Columbia University’s IRB (Protocol #: AAAU4108) and were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. All participants provided informed consent at the beginning of the study. Materials, data, and analysis scripts are available on OSF (link: https://osf.io/79wcm/ ).

Studies 1a and 1b

Studies 1a and 1b investigated whether personality-tailored messages generated by the pre-trained Transformer model ChatGPT-3 can increase the messages’ perceived persuasiveness. In addition, Study 1b tested whether the effect was impacted by people’s awareness that the messages were generated using AI and designed to speak to specific personality traits. We focused on the Big Five personality traits as an established marker of personality 48 that has been: (1) validated across different contexts 49 , (2) shown to predict a wide range of preferences and life outcomes 41 , 42 , and (3) used in past research on personalized persuasion (e.g., 50 , 51 , 52 ). The Big Five model posits that individual differences in cognition, affect, and behavior can be pragmatically described using the following five dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism 48 , 53 .

Methods Study 1a

In Study 1a, we recruited 127 participants through Prolific Academic . Participants who failed at least one of two attention checks were excluded from the analyses ( n = 7). The 120 participants in the final sample were 37.2 ± 13.2 (mean ± std) years old and 50% of them identified as female.

Participants first indicated their preferences for different iPhone ads. The ad messages were tailored to the high and low ends of the Big Five personality traits using the open-source playground version of GPT-3 (version “text-davinci-003”). For example, we prompted GPT-3 to generate an iPhone ad tailored to Extraversion with the prompt: “Write an iPhone ad for someone who is extraverted and enthusiastic”. In contrast, we prompted it to customize a message for Introversion with: “Write an iPhone ad for someone who is reserved and quiet”. The adjectives used in these prompts (e.g., reserved and quiet) were taken from the language used to identify personality traits (e.g., Introversion) in the Ten-Item-Personality-Inventory (TIPI 54 ), but were adjusted in a few instances to reflect more positive versions of the same characteristics (e.g., competitive rather than quarrelsome for low Agreeableness). We did not generate messages for the personality trait of Neuroticism as this trait is unique in that messages designed to “match” the low end of the continuum (i.e., emotionally stable messages) would be appealing to people low and high in Neuroticism 55 . Figure 1 shows examples of the messages generated by GPT-3 for the two prompts above (see Table S1 in the SI for all prompts and messages, and Table S2 for the results of a pre-validation study supporting the intended personality affinity of all stimuli).

Extraverted and introverted ads for an iPhone generated by GPT-3 alongside the response scale used to record effectiveness ratings.

We measured people’s preferences for various ads using two 11-point bi-polar scales that contrasted the messages tailored towards the high and low ends of the personality trait (Fig. 1 ). The bi-polar measure minimizes biased evaluations via “response substitution” 56 . That is, while uni-polar measures (e.g., “How much did this change your opinion?”) might simply capture participants’ a priori evaluation or unrelated individual differences, the current measure focuses on participants’ evaluations of the ads’ relative effectiveness. Effectiveness was calculated as the average score across the two bi-polar items assessed for each ad (see Fig. S1 for distribution of outcome variables). In later studies (Studies 3–4), we demonstrate the generalizability of our findings by taking alternative approaches to assess the messages’ effectiveness.

Finally, participants completed an established measure of the Big Five personality traits (BFI-2S 57 ), which asks participants to rate their agreement with a set of 30 statements. Responses were recorded on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree. With Cronbach’s alphas ranging from 0.78 to 0.87, the scale reliabilities were found to be good (Openness = 0.82, Conscientiousness = 0.82, Extraversion = 0.83, Agreeableness = 0.78 and Neuroticism = 0.87). Participants also responded to a series of socio-demographic questions, including age, gender, ethnicity, employment status and education.

Results Study 1a

To test whether people prefer personalized messages automatically generated by GPT-3, we first ran a series of linear regression analyses, regressing the continuous message effectiveness ratings for each trait on all the Big Five traits and controls (i.e., age, gender, employment status, education and ethnicity; see Table S3 in the Supplementary Information for zero-order correlations). Figure 2 shows the standardized effects with 95% confidence intervals for each of the ad pairs associated with the four personality traits (see Table S4 in the Supplementary Information for full model outputs). Supporting our hypothesis, we found that participants’ Openness ( β = 0.36, CI 95 0.16–0.56, p < 0.001), Conscientiousness ( β = 0.29, CI 95 0.05–0.53, p = 0.020) and Extraversion ( β = 0.40, CI 95 0.16–0.63, p < 0.001) predicted their preferences for the ads tailored to these traits. We did not observe a significant effect for Agreeableness ( β = -0.17, CI 95 − 0.40 to 0.06, p = 0.152).

Effects (with 95% confidence intervals) of Big Five personality traits on effectiveness ratings for the respective ads.

Methods Study 1b

In Study 1b, we recruited a total of 500 participants through Prolific Academic . Participants who failed at least one of two attention checks were excluded from the analyses ( n = 29). The 471 participants in the final sample were 36.2 ± 12.5 (mean ± std) years old and 48% of them identified as female.

All materials and outcome measures were the same as in Study 1a (see Fig. S2 for distribution of outcome variables). Unlike Study 1a, however, participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions. The first condition (“baseline”) was similar to that of Study 1a. In the second condition (“Disclosure 1”), participants were informed that the ads were generated by GPT-3, a generative AI ( “The ads have been generated by GPT-3, an artificial intelligence program that can use different prompts (e.g. "Please write me an iPhone ad") to create content”) . In the third condition (“Disclosure 2”), participants were told that GPT-3 had been instructed to create ads tailored to different personality traits (“ The ads have been generated by GPT-3, an artificial intelligence program that can use different prompts (e.g., "Please write me an iPhone ad" ) to create content. We asked GPT-3 to generate ads tailored to different personalities (e.g., people who are outgoing and social or people who are reserved and quiet”).

As in Study 1a, participants completed the BFI-2-S to report on their Big Five personality. The scale reliabilities for the BFI-2-S Big Five personality measure 57 were found to be good to excellent (Openness = 0.85, Conscientiousness = 0.84, Extraversion = 0.83, Agreeableness = 0.79 and Neuroticism = 0.90).

Results Study 1b

We replicated our earlier findings using the full sample in Study 1b, finding that participants’ Openness ( β = 0.16, CI 95 0.06–0.25, p < 0.001), Conscientiousness ( β = 0.20, CI 95 0.09–0.31, p < 0.001) and Extraversion ( β = 0.29, CI 95 0.18–0.39, p < 0.001), but not Agreeableness ( β = 0.00, CI 95 -0.11–0.14, p = 0.847) predicted people’s preferences for generative AI ads tailored to these traits (see Table S5 for zero-order correlations and Table S6 for full regression outputs).

To test the impact of our experimental manipulation in Study 1b (i.e., the different disclosures), we ran the same four linear regression analyses while adding an interaction term between the relevant personality trait and the condition. None of the interaction terms were significant, suggesting that the personality matching effects did not vary across experimental conditions. That is, the effects largely persisted despite informing people about the fact that the messages were generated by an AI rather than a human, and that the ads were designed to appeal to different personality traits (see Fig. S3 for a visual depiction of the findings, Table S7 for the full regression outputs and Tables S8 – S10 for regression analyses conducted separately for each condition).

Study 2 tested the generalizability of the effects observed in Study 1 by replicating them using a broader set of stimuli and psychological characteristics. Specifically, we used ChatGPT to generate: (1) ads for Nike sneakers, tailored to the Big Five traits, (2) persuasive messages promoting participants to exercise more, tailored to regulatory focus 58 and (3) political appeals for climate action, tailored to moral foundations. The two new psychological characteristics included in Study 2 were chosen based on their relevance to their respective message domains and prior matching research. Regulatory focus captures individual differences in people’s dispositional motivation to pursue their goals by focusing on the attainment of desired outcomes (i.e., promotion focus) or the prevention of undesirable outcomes (i.e., prevention focus, e.g., 59 ). Matching messages to people’s dominant regulatory focus has previously been shown to enhance the effectiveness of personalized persuasion, especially in the health domain 6 , 60 . Moral foundations describe individual differences in people’s moral reasoning (i.e., the way they decide what is right and wrong) along five dimensions: Loyalty, Care, Fairness, Purity and Authority 61 . Research on moral reframing has shown that persuasive political appeals are more effective when they are tailored to people’s moral foundations, or when they are matched with the foundations that closely align with their political ideologies 10 , 62 , 63 .

We recruited a total of 200 participants through Prolific Academic . Participants who failed at least one of three attention checks were excluded from the analyses ( n = 8). The 192 participants in the final sample were 36.7 ± 13.0 (mean ± std) years old and 49% of them identified as female.

Participants were shown a series of AI-generated persuasive messages about the various topics, which were tailored to the respective psychological profile: Nike sneakers (Big Five traits), exercise (regulatory focus), and climate action (moral foundations). As in Study 1, the prompts for these messages were minimal (e.g., Prevention focus: “Write a short persuasive ad to convince a prevention-focused person to exercise more.”; Fairness: “Write a short political ad in favor of taking climate action that is tailored to people scoring high on the moral foundation of fairness”). All persuasive messages were generated using the most recent openly available version of ChatGPT 3.5 Turbo (compiled on February 16, 2023). Table 1 shows two political speeches tailored to the moral foundations of Fairness and Loyalty (see Tables S11 – 13 in the Supplementary Information for all prompts and messages, and Tables S14 – 16 for the results of a pre-validation study supporting the intended psychological affinity of all stimuli).

To assess message effectiveness, for each of the Big Five traits and regulatory focus messages, participants used the same bi-polar response scale as in Study 1. For moral foundations, we used an alternative measure that required participants to make trade-offs by allocating a total of 100 points across all messages (prompt: “Imagine you hear five politicians advocating for climate action. They all have different arguments for why they believe we should act. Please read through all of the arguments carefully and decide how persuasive you find them. You have a total of 100 points to allocate across the five arguments. You can do so by typing the number of points in the box next to each argument. The more persuasive you find an argument, the more points you should allocate to it” ). The trade-offs were used since there are no high and low ends to contrast the foundation dimensions. As with the bi-polar scales, this approach allowed us to assess message effectiveness in a way that removed individual differences and a priori evaluations in people’s general support for the topic, testing liking for the messages themselves. Fig. S4 in the Supplementary Information shows the response distributions for all persuasive messages.

After rating each of the ads, participants completed a series of self-report surveys. We again measured participants’ Big Five personality traits using the 30-item BFI-2-S 57 . With Cronbach’s alphas ranging from 0.78 to 0.87, the scale reliabilities were found to be good (Openness = 0.82, Conscientiousness = 0.82, Extraversion = 0.83, Agreeableness = 0.78 and Neuroticism = 0.87).

We measured regulatory focus (promotion versus prevention) using an adapted measure of the original 18-item scale 64 . Specifically, we removed four items that referred to academic performance, leaving us with 14 items in total, seven each for promotion and prevention-focus (e.g., “ In general, I am focused on preventing negative events in my life ” for prevention and “ I frequently imagine how I will achieve my hopes and aspirations ” for promotion). Responses were recorded on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree. With a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.81 for prevention-focus and 0.90 for promotion-focus, the scale reliabilities of the adapted measure were found to be good to excellent , with both measures being uncorrelated ( r = 0.086, p = 0.234). Given that the outcome measure required participants to rate the relative effectiveness of between the promotion and prevention focused message, we used the difference between participants’ dispositional promotion and preventions scores as our predictor.

We measured the moral foundations using the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ-30 65 ), which uses 30 items to measure the five moral foundations: Purity, Care, Loyalty, Fairness and Authority. One set of questions asked participants to indicate the extent to which a certain criterion is relevant to them when deciding whether something is right or wrong (e.g., “ Whether or not someone showed a lack of respect for authority ” for Authority). Responses were recorded on a 6-point scale ranging from 1 = Not at all relevant to 6 = Extremely relevant. The second set of questions asked people to rate their agreement with a series of statements (e.g., “ Justice is the most important requirement for a society ” for Fairness). Responses were recorded on a 6-point scale ranging from 1 = Strongly disagree to 6 = Strongly agree. Scores were averaged across both sets of questions. With Cronbach’s alphas ranging from 0.60 to 0.86, the scale reliabilities were found to be acceptable to good (Purity = 0.77, Care = 0.73, Loyalty = 0.70, Fairness = 0.60 and Authority = 0.86). We also asked participants to report their political ideology on a scale ranging from 1 = Very conservative to 7 = Very liberal.

We ran a series of linear regression analyses, regressing the continuous message effectiveness ratings for each outcome on the respective set of psychological characteristics and controls. While we added all the Big Five traits into the model simultaneously (similar to Study 1), the moral foundations were added individually due to their relatively high inter-correlations (average r = 0.34, max r = 0.75). Given that the moral foundations have previously been related to political ideology, and political ideology can be more easily imputed in the real world from online behavioral data or accessed through data brokers, we also tested the impact of political ideology on people’s effectiveness ratings for the moral foundation messages. For this purpose, we totaled the points allocated to the two messages tailored to the dimensions typically associated with a more liberal ideology (Care and Fairness) and regressed that measure on participants’ political ideology and controls.

For the sneaker ads tailored to the Big Five traits, we replicated the findings of Study 1 in that participants’ Openness ( β = 0.19, CI 95 0.04–0.34, p = 0.012) and Extraversion ( β = 0.19, CI 95 0.01–0.37, p = 0.040) predicted their preferences for the ads tailored to these traits. We did not find any significant effects for Conscientiousness ( β = 0.08, CI 95 − 0.12 to 0.28, p = 0.424) or Agreeableness ( β = -0.00 CI 95 − 0.18 to 0.17, p = 0.984; see Fig. S5 for a visualization of marginal effects, Table S17 for zero-order correlations and Table S18 for full regression outputs).

For the health behavior messages tailored to regulatory focus, we found small, but non-significant, matching effects ( β = 0.12, CI 95 − 0.03 to 0.27, p = 0.125; see Fig. S6 for a visualization of marginal effects, Table S19 for zero-order correlations and Table S20 for full regression outputs).

For the climate change appeals tailored to moral foundations, we found that three of the moral foundations as well as political ideology showed the expected matching effects (Fig. 3 ; see Table S21 for zero-order correlations). Specifically, we found that participants’ Loyalty ( β = 0.17, CI 95 0.02–0.32, p = 0.026), Fairness ( β = 0.25, CI 95 0.11–0.40, p = 0.001), Authority ( β = 0.22, CI 95 0.07–0.37, p = 0.005) and political orientation ( β = 0.22, CI 95 0.08–0.37, p = 0.003) predicted their preferences for the matching ads (Table S22 ). We did not find any significant effects for Purity ( β = − 0.04, CI 95 − 0.20 to 0.12, p = 0.645) or Care ( β = − 0.06, CI 95 − 0.10 to 0.21, p = 0.468).

Effects (with 95% confidence intervals) of political ideology and moral foundations on effectiveness ratings for the respective ads.

Studies 3a–c

Studies 3a and 3b tested the potential of AI-generated matching effects under more conservative conditions to better support our findings’ real-world applicability. This included: (1) replacing the bi-polar response scales with single message evaluations (akin to users scrolling down their newsfeed and evaluating one ad at a time), and (2) gauging message effectiveness on people’s willingness-to-pay (WTP; i.e., “How much would you be willing to spend on X?”) as a proxy for behavior. Previous research has found that self-reported WTP is both an interpretable outcome 66 and a reflection of people’s actual, in-market demand and pricing decisions 67 .

Study 3c complements Studies 3a-b with an experimental between-subjects design in which participants only evaluated one message at a time (instead of a within-subjects design in which participants evaluated all messages). By using this approach, we offer an even more conservative test of the effects and rule out any remaining artifactual explanations for the findings (e.g., within-stimuli influence from contrasting opposing ads). This study was pre-registered on AsPredicted.com (link: aspredicted.org/8ZH_T9L).

Methods Study 3a

In Study 3a, we focused once again on smartphone advertisements tailored to Big Five personality traits. We recruited 200 participants through Prolific Academic . Participants who failed at least one of two attention checks were excluded from the analyses ( n = 8). The 192 participants in the final sample were 35.7 ± 13.4 (mean ± std) years old and 50% of them identified as female.

We used the four iPhone ads that represented the high ends of the personality traits from Study 1 (i.e., high Openness, high Conscientiousness, high Extraversion and high Agreeableness). Although our analyses were focused on Openness and Extraversion (given that these were the only two traits that showed robust effects in Studies 1 and 2), we retained the other two messages for Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. This was done to statistically account for variance in our outcome measures attributable to individual differences unrelated to people’s ad preferences (e.g., extraverts potentially giving higher scores on rating scales, or individual variation in the amount of money they can afford to spend when purchasing a smartphone). Specifically, we calculated the residuals for each outcome measure by regressing the targeted outcome (e.g., WTP for the phone advertised with the Openness ad) on the equivalent outcomes for the other traits (e.g., WTP for the phone advertised with the Conscientiousness, Extraversion and Agreeableness ads; see 43 for a similar approach). This allows us to isolate the unique variance in a participant’s preference that is unique to each specific ad (as opposed to the variance that is shared among all of them).

Participants were presented with one ad at a time and indicated their agreement with the following two statements: “This is a persuasive ad” and “This ad has made me more interested in the iPhone” (1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree). Effectiveness was calculated as the average of the two items. Participants were also asked to indicate the amount of money in $USD they would be willing to spend on the iPhone with values ranging from $1 to $1000 (WTP; see Fig. S7 for distribution of outcome variables). This range was selected to realistically represent the price of the most advanced iPhone model at the time of data collection ($1000; iPhone 14 Pro) as well as various other prices for older, used or discounted iPhones.

In addition to the control variables used across Studies 1–2, we calculated the average effectiveness/WTP for each participant to further control for differences in averages on these ratings. We also included the position in which an ad was displayed to control for order effects.

Similar to Studies 1 and 2, we measured participants’ Big Five personality traits using the 30-item BFI-2-S 57 . With Cronbach’s alphas ranging from 0.81 to 0.89, the scale reliabilities were found to be good (Openness = 0.81, Conscientiousness = 0.89, Extraversion = 0.82, Agreeableness = 0.82 and Neuroticism = 0.86).

Results Study 3a

We ran a series of linear regression analyses, regressing the residual effectiveness and WTP ratings for the AI-generated ads on the respective set of psychological characteristics and controls (including the order in which the ad appeared and the average ratings across all ads; Fig. 4 ).

Effects (with 95% confidence intervals) of Big Five personality traits on effectiveness ratings and WTP for the respective ads.

Replicating the findings from Studies 1 and 2, we found that participants assigned higher effectiveness scores to messages that aligned with their Openness ( β = 0.24, CI 95 0.07–0.41, p = 0.005) and Extraversion ( β = 0.35, CI 95 0.18–0.52, p < 0.001). Similarly, we found that participants were willing to pay more for the iPhone when the message aligned with their Extraversion scores ( β = 0.26, CI 95 0.09–0.44, p = 0.004). An increase of one standard deviation in participant’s extraversion was akin to an increase of $33 in the willingness to pay for the iPhone advertised with the extraverted message. The effect of Openness was found to be marginally significant ( β = 0.15, CI 95 − 0.02 to 0.33, p = 0.085, equivalent to an increase of $19 in willingness to pay; see Table S23 for zero-order correlations and Tables S24 – 25 for full regression outputs).

Methods Study 3b

In Study 3b, we aimed to replicate the effects of AI generated matching on WTP using a different persuasion domain and different set of psychological traits. For this purpose, we recruited 203 participants through Prolific Academic . Participants who failed at least one of two attention checks were excluded from the analyses (n = 7). The 196 participants in the final sample were 39.7 ± 14.59 (mean ± std) years old and 48% of them identified as female.

Participants read the five speeches advocating for climate action created for Study 2, one speech at a time, and indicated their agreement with the following two statements: “This is a compelling argument for climate action” and “The argument has made me more interested in supporting climate action”. Responses were recorded on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree. Persuasiveness was calculated as the mean across the two items. Participants were also asked to indicate the amount of money they would be willing to donate to the depicted politician’s campaign with values ranging from $1 to $100 (see Fig. S8 for distribution of outcome variables). This range was selected based on interpretability as well as survey data showing that the average American donates less than $100 to political causes 68 .

Given that liberals are generally more likely to consider climate-change affirming messaging effective and are more likely to donate to climate related causes, we calculated the outcome measure as a difference score. That is, we calculated the difference between the average scores of the liberal-leaning messages (Care and Fairness) and the average scores of the conservative-leaning messages (Purity, Loyalty and Authority).

As in Study 3a, we calculated the average effectiveness/WTP for each participant to further control for differences in average effectiveness and WTP ratings and included the position in which a particular speech was displayed to control for order effects. Participants reported their political ideology on a scale ranging from 1 = Very conservative to 7 = Very liberal.

Results Study 3b

Replicating the findings from Study 3a, we found that participants assign higher persuasiveness scores to AI-generated messages that align with their political ideology ( β = 0.18, CI 95 0.03–0.33, p = 0.018) and are willing to donate more to the politicians that use these messages ( β = 0.24, CI 95 0.09–0.38, p = 0.002). An increase of one standard deviation in participant’s liberalism was akin to an additional $2 (out of $100) donated to the politician using matching (liberal compared to conservative) messages (see Fig. S9 for a visualization of marginal effects, Table S26 for zero-order correlations, and Table S27 for full regression outputs). Additional analyses of the residualized effectiveness and WTP scores for each message show that the effects were largely driven by the Fairness and Loyalty messages (Tables S28 – 29 in the Supplementary Information).

Methods Study 3c

We recruited 350 participants through Prolific Academic , excluding those who failed at least one of two attention checks ( n = 7). From those remaining, we selected the first 320 responses to adhere to our preregistered target sample (the results remain unchanged when using all 343 participants). The 320 participants in the final sample were 36.1 ± 12.3 (mean ± std) years old and 52% identified as female.

We used two sets of messages: ads that were tailored to high and low levels of Extraversion for the iPhone (see stimuli from Studies 1 and 3a, Table S1 ), and speeches tailored to Fairness and Loyalty for the political messages on climate action (see Stimuli from Study 2, Table S12 ). Each participant responded to both scenarios (iPhone and political) but saw and rated only one of the respective messages in each scenario (e.g., either the introverted or extraverted iPhone ad). This design further helped simulate ecologically realistic conditions (i.e., people exposed to ads for different topics), removed demand effects (i.e., by only soliciting evaluations for one of the ads), and eliminated any influence of contrast effects from mismatched messages (i.e., as matching/mismatching was done between-participants).

As preregistered, we collected the same measures as Study 3a (ad effectiveness and willingness to pay; see Fig. S10 for distributions of outcome variables). As before, we measured participants’ Big Five personality traits using the 30-item BFI-2-S 57 . With Cronbach’s alphas ranging from 0.77 to 0.88, the scale reliabilities were found to be good (Openness = 0.82, Conscientiousness = 0.87, Extraversion = 0.84, Agreeableness = 0.77 and Neuroticism = 0.88). Participants also reported their political ideology on a scale ranging from 1 = Very conservative to 7 = Very liberal.

We ran a series of linear regression analyses, regressing the effectiveness ratings and WTP for each persuasion scenario on the interaction between the type of AI-generated message (specific personality or moral foundation) and the psychological profile of the participant (personality or political ideology). Because responses to our political ideology measure were negatively skewed, we could not dichotomize this variable as preregistered (i.e., any split would have led to an arbitrary distinction or highly uneven groups). Thus, we analyzed the interactions with the continuous Extraversion and political ideology measures (which we had described as an additional robustness check in the preregistration). Importantly, the findings for Extraversion—which allowed for a meaningful median split—remain unchanged when using the dichotomized version.

The results of this study replicate our earlier matching effects for the ad effectiveness measure. The AI-generated matched messages were perceived to be more effective in both the iPhone scenario ( β = 0.25, CI 95 0.03–0.47, p = 0.026) and the political speech scenario ( β = 0.23, CI 95 0.02–0.43, p = 0.028; Fig. 5 , see also Table S30 for zero-order correlations, and Table S31 for full regression outputs). Although the effects for the WTP measure were directionally consistent, they were not significant (iPhone: β = 0.04, CI 95 − 0.19 to 0.27, p = 0.743, political speech: β = 0.08, CI 95 − 0.14 to 0.30, p = 0.484; Fig. 5 and Table S31 for full regression outputs). Instead, we found strong main effects of Extraversion and political ideology on WTP, with extraverts being willing to spend more on the iPhone in general, and liberals willing to donate more to political candidates advocating for climate action. Although the matching effects were weaker for the WTP measure, this is a finding consistent with behavioral phenomena more broadly 69 and one we discuss in greater detail in “ Discussion ”.

Interaction effects (with 95% confidence intervals) of participants and message personality/political ideology on effectiveness ratings and WTP for iPhone ads and political speeches.

In our final study, we more fully simulate the process involved in scaling the use of ChatGPT for personalized persuasion in the real world. That is, instead of designing a limited set of messages ahead of time and assessing participants’ psychological traits post hoc, we recruited participants whose personality profile was known to us prior to the study (i.e., from participating in our earlier studies) and prompted ChatGPT to dynamically create a personalized ad for each individual participant. By subsequently comparing the effectiveness of these personalized ads to that of ads created based on generic prompts, we offer additional evidence for the effectiveness of personalized persuasion using generative AI. The study focuses on two different consumer products, one experiential and one material: a weekend getaway to Rome and Nike sneakers.

Approximately 6 to 9 months after data collection for Studies 3a–c, we invited all participants to this new survey on Prolific Academic , ending data collection after a requested 300 responses. In total, we received 303 participants, retaining 297 who passed both attention checks (43.4 ± 14.1 (mean ± std) years old and 48% identified as female). We invited these participants specifically, because they completed the Big Five personality test (i.e., the 30-item BFI-2-S) 57 in our earlier experiments. This allowed us to extract their personality profiles ahead of the current study to prompt ChatGPT to create personality-tailored ads unique to each participant.

The overall procedure for this study was as follows. First, we calculated the percentile scores for Openness, Extraversion and Conscientiousness for each participant (based on the means and standard deviations of all participants from Studies 1–3). We again did not consider Neuroticism (i.e., due to its unique theoretical nature), and likewise, did not include Agreeableness as our previous studies suggested no significant matching-effects for this trait (see “ Discussion ”).

Second, we identified the most salient personality trait for each participant, defined as the trait whose percentile score deviated the most strongly from the 50% median (in absolute terms). For example, a participant with percentile scores of 40% for Openness, 70% for Extraversion and 15% for Conscientiousness would have been assigned a salient personality of “Low Conscientiousness” (absolute difference to average: |50% − 15%|= 35%). We chose this procedure of identifying a single salient trait over one that would have provided ChatGPT with all the information about a person’s profile to keep the ads focused and concise. This decision was based on pre-testing different options and realizing that a more comprehensive personality profile resulted in ChatGPT using this information in an additive rather than integrative way (see Discussion for a more detailed elaboration and potential future directions).

Third, we used each person’s most salient personality trait to create an ad tailored to this particular trait via OpenAI’s ChatGPT API (version 3.5 Turbo). To simplify the task, we categorized the percentile score into low (≤ 33%), medium(> 33% and < 66%) and high (≥ 66%). Given that we specifically selected the traits based on their level of extremeness (i.e., deviation from 50%), all but 10 out of the 297 participants were described with either a low or a high score of Openness, Extraversion or Conscientiousness (see Table S32 for the relative frequencies of each trait).

To explore the different capabilities of ChatGPT in interpreting our personalized prompts, we followed two different approaches. For the getaway to Rome, we simply supplied ChatGPT with the label of the personality trait (e.g., “ Write a short ad for a weekend getaway to Rome that is tailored to a person who scores low on the Big Five personality trait of Conscientiousness. Do not explicitly mention personality traits in the ad .”). For the Nike sneakers, we translated the personality trait’s labels as we did in the previous studies (e.g., “ Write a short ad for a Nike Sneaker that is tailored to a person who is disorganized and careless. Do not explicitly mention these personality traits in the ad. ”). Table 2 displays example ads for the weekend getaway. To test the effectiveness of this personalization approach, we also generated five generic ads for each product (prompts: “Write a short ad for a weekend getaway to Rome” and “Write a short ad for a Nike Sneaker”) and randomly assigned one of the outputs to each participant (all participant-specific and generic stimuli can be found on the paper’s OSF page: https://osf.io/79wcm/ ).

Participants rated both the generic and the personalized ads for both products. While the order of products was held constant (weekend getaway first, sneakers second), the order in which the generic and personalized ads were shown was randomized. This procedure allowed us to use the first rating for each product in a between-subjects analysis, and the comparison between generic and personalized ads within each product in a within-subjects analysis. Similar to Study 3, we collected two outcome measures: ad effectiveness and willingness to pay (WTP; see Fig. S11 for distributions of all outcome variables). As before, ad effectiveness was measured on a 7-point scale using the following two questions: “I find this ad to be persuasive” and “This ad has made me more interested in [visiting Rome| the Nike sneakers].” WTP was measured using a slider scale ranging from USD 0 to 2000 for the weekend getaway and USD 0 to 150 for the Nike sneakers.

After evaluating the ads, participants completed the 30-item BFI-2-S measure of personality 57 , allowing us to compare the scores we obtained from the prior studies (and used to personalize the ads) with the most current measure of personality. With re-test correlations ranging from r = 0.85 for Openness and r = 0.91 for Extraversion (mean( r ) = 0.88), the personality profiles used in the analyses appear to be largely robust and valid. Still, the fact that some of the profiles have shifted makes our estimates of personalized persuasion’s effectiveness conservative but also more realistic. That is, in real-world applications, estimates of consumers’ personality from digital traces might contain substantial amounts of prediction error, or could become outdated over time.

We conducted both between and within-subjects analyses (see Table S33 for zero-order correlations). The between-subjects analyses compared participants’ evaluations of the first ad they rated for each product using linear regression models. In line with our expectations, participants who were shown a personalized weekend getaway ad rated the ad as significantly more effective (B = 0.43, β = 0.31, CI 95 0.08–0.53, p = 0.008) and were willing to spend a significantly larger amount of money on the trip (B = 116.57, β = 0.24, CI 95 0.01–0.47, p = 0.037) than those who were shown the generic version. Specifically, the personalized ads increased people’s willingness to spend by $117. Although the effects for the sneaker product trended in the expected direction, they were found to be non-significant for both rated effectiveness (B = 0.17, β = 0.12, CI 95 − 0.11 to 0.35, p = 0.322) and WTP (B = 5.28, β = 0.17, CI 95 − 0.06 to 0.40, p = 0.151). All effects remain robust when including the same set of control variables used in the previous studies (i.e., age, gender, ethnicity, education and employment, see Table S34 for detailed model outputs).

For the within-subjects analyses, we ran a series of paired t-tests comparing each participant's evaluations for the generic ad to that of the personalized ad. The results mirror those observed for the between-person analyses. Participants significantly preferred the personalized ads over the generic ones for the weekend getaway (effectiveness: mean difference = 0.24, t (296) = 2.73, d = 0.16, p = 0.007; WTP: mean difference = 58.13, t (296) = 3.22, d = 0.19, p = 0.001). Although the effects trended in the expected direction for the sneakers, they were not found to be statistically significant (effectiveness: mean difference = 0.11, t (296) = 1.41, d = 0.08, p = 0.161; WTP: mean difference = 1.85, t (296) = 1.71, d = 0.10, p = 0.088). We further discuss the discrepancy between the results on these topics—as well as the varying effectiveness of personalized persuasion for different personality traits, topics and measures—in the following discussion.

The present findings offer robust evidence for the viability of LLMs—and ChatGPT in particular—to automatically generate a diverse array of personalized messages that influence people’s attitudes and behavioral intentions. While prior work has established reliable matching effects (e.g. 4 ), some authors have argued that various methodological factors have contributed to the strength of these findings 3 . In the present research, we used a series of conservative tests to instantiate and study matching effects (e.g., consumer and political topics, within- and between-subjects designs, different outcome measures and matched vs. generic messages), consistently demonstrating AI’s proficiency at personalized persuasion.

Of the 33 message instantiations we tested, 30 were directionally effective, and 20 were significantly so (61%; Fig. 6 ). This proportion of significant effects is higher than chance ( t = 8.30, p < 0.001). When extrapolating this effect to the hundreds of advertisements people see daily 70 , the ease with which AI can personalize persuasive message makes their potential influence unprecedented.

Standardized regression coefficients with 95% confidence interval for the 33 effects tested in this paper (sorted by effect size).

Notably, our findings likely represent a relatively conservative estimate of generative AI’s potential to facilitate personalized persuasion at scale. First and foremost, all our studies relied on very short prompts that supplied ChatGPT with a minimal amount of information about the target’s psychological profile as well as the meaning of the specific personality traits. That is, we only focused on high-level traits (e.g., Extraversion) rather than more nuanced personality facets or more granular descriptions of a person’s moral beliefs. In addition, we only prompted ChatGPT with simple sentences that merely named the psychological trait to be targeted (e.g., “Write a short ad for a person who scores high on Extraversion”) or offered a very brief description of the trait (e.g., “Write an ad for someone who is extraverted and enthusiastic.”). While such an approach is likely to mimic many real-world instances where information about targets is scant, the effectiveness of personalized persuasion using LLMs could likely be boosted by offering more detailed insights about the target. Additionally, taking into consideration the rapid advancements in LLMs (e.g., the shift from GPT-3 to GPT-4 that occurred during the progression of this work) as well as the expansion to other modalities known to play a critical role in persuasion (e.g., visual stimuli), the next few years will likely see the continuously growing effectiveness of generative AI in the context of personalized persuasion.

Heterogeneity in effect sizes

Our findings support the overall effectiveness of personalized persuasion using ChatGPT. However, effect sizes were not uniformly distributed across psychological dimensions, topics and measures. For example, while some psychological traits produced consistent and relatively pronounced matching effects (e.g., Openness and Extraversion), others failed to produce robust effects or reach statistical levels of significance (e.g., Agreeableness). The consistent effects for Openness and Extraversion might be explained by the fact that they are the two most observable traits among the Big Five 48 . Consequently, it is possible, for example, that generative LLMs have more training data available on these characteristics. Indeed, algorithms are able to more accurately predict Openness and Extraversion from people’s Facebook status updates than Conscientiousness and Agreeableness 71 . In contrast, the consistent null effect that was observed for AI-generated messages matched to participants’ level of Agreeableness might be explained by the association of the trait with a broad susceptibility to persuasion 72 . That is, people who are higher in Agreeableness are more likely to respond to persuasive content than those lower in Agreeableness, regardless of the specific personalization strategy deployed. Future research should establish whether these differences are unique to the LLM-generated content, or whether theoretical factors do indeed underlie them (i.e., they would emerge in human-generated content, too). For example, some research suggests that Agreeableness is associated with altruism and harmony in social relationships 73 , which none of our AI-generated messages referenced.

In addition to effect size differences between psychological profiles, we also found differences in the effectiveness of personalized persuasion across topics. For example, in Study 4, the matched messages were more effective for the experiential product (a Rome getaway) than they were for the material one (sneakers). These differences might be explained by a number of factors. For example, the experiential nature of the weekend getaway—with the opportunity to highlight different activities and aspects of the trip—might allow for more genuine and meaningful personalization than that for a pair of sneakers. Additionally, prior research has suggested that matching is more effective for expensive products 74 , because people are more concerned about making the right choice in these instances. Naturally, many other differences between our topics could explain our varying effect sizes within our studies; however, these differences might not be unique to AI-generated personalized persuasion and would be broadly worth considering in this area of research.

Finally, our effects tended to be stronger for the self-reported persuasiveness measures than our behavioral intention ones (i.e., willingness to pay). This is consistent with research in the behavioral sciences 69 which finds that self-report measures are more sensitive to treatment effects than behavioral measures. That is, although people find matched messages generated by AI more compelling, the translation of those effects onto behavioral proxies (WTP) might require a larger sample to detect small effects or repeated exposures to strengthen the effectiveness of the treatment (especially when the manipulation is rather basic as was the case in our study). Without these strengthening factors, behavioral effects might be overshadowed by strong individual differences that dictate people’s general attitudes/preferences toward a topic 75 .

Practical implications

While prior research has shown that machine learning algorithms can predict a person’s psychological profile from their digital footprints (e.g. 19 , 20 ) the present work showcases how algorithms can now also design messages that appeal to these traits—even when given very limited input. In other words, current technologies, which continue to innovate and improve, have the potential to allow message sources to fully “close the loop” on automating personalized persuasion. In short, one of the most powerful forms of behavioral influence now has the potential to be implemented at scale.

Companies, for example, could set up fully automated processes that leverage AI to execute sophisticated personalized marketing at scale. Using consumer data from various sources (e.g., browsing patterns, the user’s demographics data, public Facebook Likes or Instagram posts) in combination with predictive algorithms, they could first generate detailed profiles of their consumers’ psychological traits. These profiles could then be automatically funneled to generative AI models designed to automatically create persuasive communication (“write an ad for toothpaste X that is shown to an extraverted, 33 years old man, who is likely to pay up to $6 for the product”). In addition to personalized textual content, such algorithms could also produce visual content (still or video) or auditory stimuli. The combined marketing message could subsequently be displayed to the consumer in real-time and adjusted dynamically based on the consumer's interaction with the content. As the entire process relies on AI, it could operate at nearly no cost (outside of the development and maintenance) and readily adapt to recipients’ responses and consequent behavior.

It has not escaped our notice that although these technological developments offer the potential for great societal good (i.e., encourage greater engagement in prosocial behaviors, such as vaccinations or voting), they also pose both short- and long-term threats to the wellbeing of individuals and communities 11 . Facebook, for example, announced that they will use AI generated messages by the end of 2023 to design personalized advertisements 76 . While this integration might make content more engaging, it could also lead to users purchasing products and services they do not need or cannot afford, intensify the battle over social issues and exacerbate mental health challenges (i.e., loneliness, addiction).

Beyond consumerism, the use of LLMs for persuasion also raises serious concerns with regards to politics and society. For example, describing a politician’s stance in language that matches a person’s psychological profile (e.g., talking in terms of the moral foundation of Loyalty for those who value it) could lead people to be more positive toward candidates or issues than they would be otherwise (e.g. 63 ). Social media platforms have already been accused of situating people in information ecologies that serve as “echo chambers”, only showing them content that reinforces their interests or worldviews 77 . The ability of LLMs to tailor the language of advertisements, news articles or political speeches, creates a dangerous potential to further enmesh people in their own idiosyncratic worlds that are devoid of a shared reality with distinct others 78 .

In light of these potential risks, it is imperative that oversight of this LLM-personalized content is maintained. The implementation of such oversight, however, is complicated by a few factors. First, one of the foremost solutions being considered for combatting AI influence—disclosing whether a message was generated by AI—may be ineffective at curbing their effects. Our findings offer initial evidence that disclosing the source of a persuasive message (i.e., “made by AI”) did not change its persuasive impact. Thus, future research should replicate this finding to offer stronger, more generalizable advice for policy makers. Second, because each piece of AI-generated content is personalized to a particular individual, it will be nearly impossible to recreate a viewer’s journey for auditing purposes. Relatedly, the speed with which LLMs can create this personalized content further challenges individual oversight (i.e., as the influx of content could be too vast to moderate). Consequently, safeguards against the influence of AI-generated messages might have to rely less on whether each advertisement maintains an appropriate level of veracity for the person to which it is shown, and instead, focus on ensuring that the account behind the persuasive appeal (or the online platform who hosts them) meets aggregated veracity standards. For example, academic proposals to regulate generative AI have collectively argued that regulation should occur at the stage of deployment (e.g., at the advertiser and platform level), rather than at the level of message reception (e.g., at the time point consumers are seeing the specific ad) 79 . In the absence of such broader oversight, an arms race may ignite (akin to the one that occurred in the world of computer viruses) where “auditing AI” software will be created to test the content for unlawful levels of intrusiveness, while the major platforms and malevolent players will work to evade the scrutiny of algorithms as they attempt to exert their influence. Future work should investigate how regulation at the back-end of widely available LLMs can prevent the misuse of these technologies in various contexts, such as companies encouraging compulsive buying (e.g. 80 ) and deploying manipulative marketing (e.g. 81 ).

Limitations and conclusion

The current research serves as compelling empirical evidence for the effectiveness of LLM-generated personalized persuasion. However, there are a number of important limitations that should be addressed by future research. First, while behavioral intentions and participants’ willingness to pay are predictive of actual behavior 82 , 83 , the research does not demonstrate their effects outside of self-report measures which are known to be prone to a variety of response biases 84 . Although we used a variety of measurement approaches to circumvent some of these concerns (none of which asked about self-predicted change, which can be problematic 57 ), future research would benefit from replicating the current findings using alternative, behavioral outcome measures (e.g., counterfactual formats 85 ).

Second, we cannot directly speak to the question of whether our effects are driven by the enhanced persuasiveness of matched messages versus the reduced persuasiveness of mismatched ones 86 . This is a debate within the matching literature more broadly regarding how psychologically-matched messages perform in comparison to “neutral” non-tailored messages. Although Study 4 showed matching effects when comparing personalized messages to generic ones —thereby providing some evidence for the positive utility of matching—future research is needed to replicate this effect and determine the conditions under which this finding is true.

Third, all our studies focused on a single psychological trait rather than a more holistic view of a person’s entire psychological profile (e.g., one Big Five personality trait rather than a combination of all five traits). While this decision was in part driven by the fact that such an approach most closely resembles current applications of personalized persuasion in targeted advertising, future research should explore the utility of different levels of personalization. As we briefly described in “ Methods ” section of Study 4, we had originally intended to use ChatGPT to dynamically craft messages tailored to people’s holistic profiles (e.g., by prompting ChatGPT to generate an ad tailored to someone who scores high on Openness, low on Extraversion and average on Conscientiousness). However, an inspection of the resulting stimuli revealed that ChatGPT used the insights about people’s personality traits in a somewhat artificial, additive way rather than a more seamless, integrative way. That is, the messages started with a sentence tailored to Openness, followed by a sentence tailored to Extraversion and finally a sentence tailored to Conscientiousness, rather than one integrative message considering the unique needs of a person who is both open-minded and introverted. We encourage future research to investigate how different forms of prompt engineering might make it possible to overcome this current limitation, and test whether doing so could further increase the effectiveness of AI-based personalized persuasion.

Finally, while LLMs can surely speed up and scale the generation of content, it is not clear whether the generated messages outperform those of human authors. While prior work suggests that LLMs could outperform lay people by overcoming common egocentrism biases 47 , they might still underperform compared to professionals with extensive training and experience (e.g. marketing professionals, speech writers). Notably, LLMs are still in their most nascent stage of development, meaning any evidence for their success at present only hints at their potential influence to come. As generative AI becomes increasingly powerful, they could either replace most human experts (e.g., creative individuals and marketing practitioners) or—on a more positive note—empower these experts to expand their skill sets and use AI to elevate their current performance levels.

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Present address: Department of Communication, Stanford University, Stanford, USA

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Columbia Business School, New York, USA

S. C. Matz, H. Peters & M. Cerf

Center for Advanced Technology and Human Performance, Columbia Business School, New York, USA

Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, USA

J. D. Teeny

Negotiation, Organizations and Marketing Unit, Department of Communication, Harvard Business School, Stanford University, Stanford, USA

Department of Communication, Stanford University, Stanford, USA

G. M. Harari

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S.C.M, J.D.T and M.C developed the initial research idea. S.C.M, J.D.T and M.C designed the research. S.C.M collected and analyzed the data. All authors contributed to the framing of the contribution and writing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to S. C. Matz .

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Matz, S.C., Teeny, J.D., Vaid, S.S. et al. The potential of generative AI for personalized persuasion at scale. Sci Rep 14 , 4692 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53755-0

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Persuasive Speech Outline, with Examples

March 17, 2021 - Gini Beqiri

A persuasive speech is a speech that is given with the intention of convincing the audience to believe or do something. This could be virtually anything – voting, organ donation, recycling, and so on.

A successful persuasive speech effectively convinces the audience to your point of view, providing you come across as trustworthy and knowledgeable about the topic you’re discussing.

So, how do you start convincing a group of strangers to share your opinion? And how do you connect with them enough to earn their trust?

Topics for your persuasive speech

We’ve made a list of persuasive speech topics you could use next time you’re asked to give one. The topics are thought-provoking and things which many people have an opinion on.

When using any of our persuasive speech ideas, make sure you have a solid knowledge about the topic you’re speaking about – and make sure you discuss counter arguments too.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

All school children should wear a uniform
Facebook is making people more socially anxious
It should be illegal to drive over the age of 80
Lying isn’t always wrong
The case for organ donation

Read our full list of 75 persuasive speech topics and ideas .

Preparation: Consider your audience

As with any speech, preparation is crucial. Before you put pen to paper, think about what you want to achieve with your speech. This will help organise your thoughts as you realistically can only cover 2-4 main points before your audience get bored .

It’s also useful to think about who your audience are at this point. If they are unlikely to know much about your topic then you’ll need to factor in context of your topic when planning the structure and length of your speech. You should also consider their:

Cultural or religious backgrounds
Shared concerns, attitudes and problems
Shared interests, beliefs and hopes
Baseline attitude – are they hostile, neutral, or open to change?

The factors above will all determine the approach you take to writing your speech. For example, if your topic is about childhood obesity, you could begin with a story about your own children or a shared concern every parent has. This would suit an audience who are more likely to be parents than young professionals who have only just left college.

Remember the 3 main approaches to persuade others

There are three main approaches used to persuade others:

The ethos approach appeals to the audience’s ethics and morals, such as what is the ‘right thing’ to do for humanity, saving the environment, etc.

Pathos persuasion is when you appeal to the audience’s emotions, such as when you tell a story that makes them the main character in a difficult situation.

The logos approach to giving a persuasive speech is when you appeal to the audience’s logic – ie. your speech is essentially more driven by facts and logic. The benefit of this technique is that your point of view becomes virtually indisputable because you make the audience feel that only your view is the logical one.

Ethos, Pathos, Logos: 3 Pillars of Public Speaking and Persuasion

Ideas for your persuasive speech outline

1. structure of your persuasive speech.

The opening and closing of speech are the most important. Consider these carefully when thinking about your persuasive speech outline. A strong opening ensures you have the audience’s attention from the start and gives them a positive first impression of you.

You’ll want to start with a strong opening such as an attention grabbing statement, statistic of fact. These are usually dramatic or shocking, such as:

Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat – Jamie Oliver

Another good way of starting a persuasive speech is to include your audience in the picture you’re trying to paint. By making them part of the story, you’re embedding an emotional connection between them and your speech.

You could do this in a more toned-down way by talking about something you know that your audience has in common with you. It’s also helpful at this point to include your credentials in a persuasive speech to gain your audience’s trust.

Speech structure and speech argument for a persuasive speech outline.

Obama would spend hours with his team working on the opening and closing statements of his speech.

2. Stating your argument

You should pick between 2 and 4 themes to discuss during your speech so that you have enough time to explain your viewpoint and convince your audience to the same way of thinking.

It’s important that each of your points transitions seamlessly into the next one so that your speech has a logical flow. Work on your connecting sentences between each of your themes so that your speech is easy to listen to.

Your argument should be backed up by objective research and not purely your subjective opinion. Use examples, analogies, and stories so that the audience can relate more easily to your topic, and therefore are more likely to be persuaded to your point of view.

3. Addressing counter-arguments

Any balanced theory or thought addresses and disputes counter-arguments made against it. By addressing these, you’ll strengthen your persuasive speech by refuting your audience’s objections and you’ll show that you are knowledgeable to other thoughts on the topic.

When describing an opposing point of view, don’t explain it in a bias way – explain it in the same way someone who holds that view would describe it. That way, you won’t irritate members of your audience who disagree with you and you’ll show that you’ve reached your point of view through reasoned judgement. Simply identify any counter-argument and pose explanations against them.

Complete Guide to Debating

4. Closing your speech

Your closing line of your speech is your last chance to convince your audience about what you’re saying. It’s also most likely to be the sentence they remember most about your entire speech so make sure it’s a good one!

The most effective persuasive speeches end with a call to action . For example, if you’ve been speaking about organ donation, your call to action might be asking the audience to register as donors.

Practice answering AI questions on your speech and get feedback on your performance .

If audience members ask you questions, make sure you listen carefully and respectfully to the full question. Don’t interject in the middle of a question or become defensive.

You should show that you have carefully considered their viewpoint and refute it in an objective way (if you have opposing opinions). Ensure you remain patient, friendly and polite at all times.

Example 1: Persuasive speech outline

This example is from the Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Specific purpose

To persuade my audience to start walking in order to improve their health.

Central idea

Regular walking can improve both your mental and physical health.

Introduction

Let’s be honest, we lead an easy life: automatic dishwashers, riding lawnmowers, T.V. remote controls, automatic garage door openers, power screwdrivers, bread machines, electric pencil sharpeners, etc., etc. etc. We live in a time-saving, energy-saving, convenient society. It’s a wonderful life. Or is it?

Example 2: Persuasive speech

Tips for delivering your persuasive speech

Practice, practice, and practice some more . Record yourself speaking and listen for any nervous habits you have such as a nervous laugh, excessive use of filler words, or speaking too quickly.
Show confident body language . Stand with your legs hip width apart with your shoulders centrally aligned. Ground your feet to the floor and place your hands beside your body so that hand gestures come freely. Your audience won’t be convinced about your argument if you don’t sound confident in it. Find out more about confident body language here .
Don’t memorise your speech word-for-word or read off a script. If you memorise your persuasive speech, you’ll sound less authentic and panic if you lose your place. Similarly, if you read off a script you won’t sound genuine and you won’t be able to connect with the audience by making eye contact . In turn, you’ll come across as less trustworthy and knowledgeable. You could simply remember your key points instead, or learn your opening and closing sentences.
Remember to use facial expressions when storytelling – they make you more relatable. By sharing a personal story you’ll more likely be speaking your truth which will help you build a connection with the audience too. Facial expressions help bring your story to life and transport the audience into your situation.
Keep your speech as concise as possible . When practicing the delivery, see if you can edit it to have the same meaning but in a more succinct way. This will keep the audience engaged.

The best persuasive speech ideas are those that spark a level of controversy. However, a public speech is not the time to express an opinion that is considered outside the norm. If in doubt, play it safe and stick to topics that divide opinions about 50-50.

Bear in mind who your audience are and plan your persuasive speech outline accordingly, with researched evidence to support your argument. It’s important to consider counter-arguments to show that you are knowledgeable about the topic as a whole and not bias towards your own line of thought.

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Persuasion in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Theories and Complications of AI-Based Persuasion

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Marco Dehnert, Paul A Mongeau, Persuasion in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Theories and Complications of AI-Based Persuasion, Human Communication Research , Volume 48, Issue 3, July 2022, Pages 386–403, https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqac006

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has profound implications for both communication and persuasion. We consider how AI complicates and promotes rethinking of persuasion theory and research. We define AI-based persuasion as a symbolic process in which a communicative-AI entity generates, augments, or modifies a message—designed to convince people to shape, reinforce, or change their responses—that is transmitted to human receivers. We review theoretical perspectives useful for studying AI-based persuasion—the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) paradigm, the Modality, Agency, Interactivity, and Navigability (MAIN) model, and the heuristic-systematic model of persuasion—to explicate how differences in AI complicate persuasion in two ways. First, thin AI exhibits few (if any) machinic (i.e., AI) cues, social cues might be available, and communication is limited and indirect. Second, thick AI exhibits ample machinic and social cues, AI presence is obvious, and communication is direct and interactive. We suggest avenues for future research in each case.

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30 Debate Topics About Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The age of artificial intelligence is here! Every day, there are new and amazing advances in AI technology. But with these advances come new challenges and ethical concerns. This makes the topic of artificial intelligence a fantastic one for debates and discussions. Below you’ll find 30 debate topics about artificial intelligence you can use in your next classroom debate or as a topic for your next essay on artificial intelligence.

Is artificial intelligence a threat to humanity?
Should countries ban lethal autonomous weapons?
Is AI research moving too fast?
Should we be worried about the rise of intelligent machines?
What are the risks of artificial general intelligence ?
How will artificial intelligence change the workforce?
Should corporations be allowed to develop their own AI technologies?
What are the ethical implications of using AI in healthcare?
How will artificial intelligence impact privacy rights?
Is it morally wrong to create sentient artificial beings?
What are the potential dangers of creating superintelligent AI?
Will intelligent robots eventually replace humans in the workforce?
What role should governments play in regulating AI development?
How will driverless cars impact society?
Should we use artificial intelligence to enhance human abilities?
What are the risks of deploying autonomous military drones?
Should artificial intelligence be used to combat cybercrime?
How will artificial intelligence shape urban development?
What are the risks of AI-assisted fake news and deep fakes?
Will intelligent chatbots replace customer service representatives?
How can we make sure AI technologies are ethically sound?
Should we use artificial intelligence to screen job candidates?
How will artificial intelligence redefine what it means to be human?
Should we be worried about AI-induced job loss?
What are the risks of AI-powered facial recognition technology ?
How can we ensure that artificial intelligence is safe and secure?
What are the risks of creating intelligent artificial lifeforms?
How will artificial intelligence shape the future of education ?
What are the risks of using AI in law enforcement?
What are the risks of AI-generated fake news?

Artificial Intelligence Debate Topics PDF

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150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

April 1, 2024

Do you know that moment in your favorite film, when the soundtrack begins to swell and the main character stands up and delivers a speech so rousing, so impassioned, it has the entire room either weeping or cheering by the time it concludes? What distinguishes the effectiveness of such a speech is not only the protagonist’s stellar delivery but also the compelling nature of the subject matter at hand. Choosing an effective persuasive speech topic is essential for guaranteeing that your future speech or essay is as moving as these . If this sounds like a tall order, have no fear. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best and most interesting persuasive speech topics for high school students to tackle, from the playful (“Pets for President”) to the serious (“Should We Stop AI from Replacing Human Workers?”).

And if you’re craving more inspiration, feel free to check out this list of Great Debate Topics , which can be used to generate further ideas.

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

Before we get to the list, we must address the question on everyone’s minds: what is a persuasive speech, and what the heck makes for a good persuasive speech topic? A persuasive speech is a speech that aims to convince its listeners of a particular point of view . At the heart of each persuasive speech is a central conflict . Note: The persuasive speech stands in contrast to a simple informative speech, which is intended purely to convey information. (I.e., an informative speech topic might read: “The History of Making One’s Bed,” while a persuasive speech topic would be: “Why Making One’s Bed is a Waste of Time”—understand?)

And lest you think that persuasive speeches are simply assigned by your teachers as a particularly cruel form of torture, remember that practicing your oratory skills will benefit you in all areas of life—from job interviews, to business negotiations, to your future college career in public policy or international relations . Knowing how to use your voice to enact meaningful change is a valuable skill that can empower you to make a difference in the world.

Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic

The ideal persuasive speech topic will inspire the audience to action via both logical arguments and emotional appeals. As such, we can summarize the question “what makes a good persuasive speech topic?” by saying that the topic must possess the following qualities:

Timeliness and Relevance . Great persuasive speech topics grapple with a contemporary issue that is meaningful to the listener at hand. The topic might be a current news item, or it might be a long-standing social issue. In either case, the topic should be one with real-world implications.
Complexity . A fruitful persuasive speech topic will have many facets. Topics that are controversial, with some gray area, lend themselves to a high degree of critical thinking. They also offer the speaker an opportunity to consider and refute all counterarguments before making a compelling case for his or her own position.
Evidence . You want to be able to back up your argument with clear evidence from reputable sources (i.e., not your best friend or dog). The more evidence and data you can gather, the more sound your position will be. In addition, your audience will be more inclined to trust you.
Personal Connection. Do you feel passionately about the topic you’ve chosen? If not, it may be time to go back to the drawing board. This does not mean you have to support the side you choose; sometimes, arguing for the opposing side of what you personally believe can be an effective exercise in building empathy and perspective. Either way, though, the key is to select a topic that you care deeply about. Your passion will be infectious to the audience.

150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics

Should tech companies regulate the development of AI systems and automation to protect humans’ jobs?
Should we limit screen time for children?
Is it ethical for AI models like Dall-E to train themselves on artists’ work without the artists’ permission?
Should the government regulate the use of personal drones?
Is mass surveillance ethical? Does its threat to civil liberties outweigh its benefits?
Are virtual reality experiences a valuable educational tool?
Do the positive effects of powerful AI systems outweigh the risks?
Do voice assistants like Siri and Alexa invade individuals’ privacy?
Are cell phone bans in the classroom effective for improving student learning?
Does the use of facial recognition technology in public violate individuals’ privacy?
Should students be allowed to use ChatGPT and other AI tools for writing assignments?
Should AI-generated art be allowed in art shows or contests?
Who holds responsibility for accidents caused by self-driving cars: the driver or the car company?

Business and Economy

Should we do away with the minimum wage? Why or why not?
Is it ethical for companies to use unpaid internships as a source of labor?
Does the gig economy benefit or harm workers?
Is capitalism the best economic system?
Is it ethical for companies to use sweatshops in developing countries?
Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
Should the government regulate prices on pharmaceutical drugs?
Should the government enact a universal base income?
Should customers be required to tip a minimum amount in order to ensure food service workers make a living wage?
Should someone’s tattoos or personal appearance factor into the hiring process?
Should US workers have more vacation time?
Is big game hunting beneficial for local communities?
Should we legalize euthanasia?
Is it ethical to use animals for medical research?
Is it ethical to allow access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients?
Should we allow genetic engineering in humans?
Is the death penalty obsolete?
Should we allow the cloning of humans?
Is it ethical to allow performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
Should embryonic stem cell collection be allowed?
Do frozen IVF embryos have rights?
Should state and federal investigators be allowed to use DNA from genealogy databases?
Should the government limit how many children a couple can have?
Is spanking children an acceptable form of discipline?
Should we allow parents to choose their children’s physical attributes through genetic engineering?
Should we require parents to vaccinate their children?
Should we require companies to give mandatory paternal and maternal leave?
Should children be allowed to watch violent movies and video games?
Should parents allow their teenagers to drink before they turn 21?
Should the government provide childcare?
Should telling your children about Santa Claus be considered lying?
Should one parent stay home?
Should parental consent be required for minors to receive birth control?
Is it an invasion of privacy for parents to post photographs of their children on social media?

Social Media

Should social media platforms ban political ads?
Do the benefits of social media outweigh the downsides?
Should the government hold social media companies responsible for hate speech on their platforms?
Is social media making us more or less social?
Do platforms like TikTok exacerbate mental health issues in teens?
Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens’ privacy?
Is it right for parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts?
Should social media companies enact a minimum user age restriction?
Should we require social media companies to protect user data?
Should we hold social media companies responsible for cyberbullying?
Should schools ban the use of social media from their networks?
Should we be allowed to record others without their consent?
Do online crime sleuths help or hurt criminal investigations?

Education – Persuasive Speech Topics

Would trade schools and other forms of vocational training benefit a greater number of students than traditional institutions of higher education?
Should colleges use standardized testing in their admissions processes?
Is forcing students to say the Pledge a violation of their right to freedom of speech?
Should school districts offer bilingual education programs for non-native speakers?
Should schools do away with their physical education requirements?
Should schools incorporate a remote learning option into their curriculum?
Should we allow school libraries to ban certain books?
Should we remove historical figures who owned slaves from school textbooks and other educational materials?
Should we have mixed-level classrooms or divide students according to ability?
Should grading on a curve be allowed?
Should graphic novels be considered literature?
Should all students have to take financial literacy classes before graduating?
Should colleges pay student athletes?
Should we ban violent contact sports like boxing and MMA?
Should sports leagues require professional athletes to stand during the national anthem?
Should sports teams ban players like Kyrie Irving when they spread misinformation or hate speech?
Should high schools require their athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
Should the Olympic committee allow transgender athletes to compete?
Should high schools ban football due to its safety risks to players?
Should all high school students be required to play a team sport?
Should sports teams be mixed instead of single-gender?
Should there be different athletic standards for men and women?
In which renewable energy option would the US do best to invest?
Should the US prioritize space exploration over domestic initiatives?
Should companies with a high carbon footprint be punished?
Should the FDA ban GMOs?
Would the world be a safer place without nuclear weapons?
Does AI pose a greater threat to humanity than it does the potential for advancement?
Who holds the most responsibility for mitigating climate change: individuals or corporations?
Should we be allowed to resurrect extinct species?
Are cancer screening programs ethical?

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

College education: should the government make it free for all?
Should we provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrants?
Is physician-assisted suicide morally justifiable?
Does social media have a negative impact on democracy?
Does cancel culture impede free speech?
Does affirmative action help or hinder minority groups in the workplace?
Should we hold public figures and celebrities to a higher standard of morality?
Should abortion be an issue that is decided at the federal or state level?
Should the sex offender registry be available to the public?
Should undocumented immigrants have a path to amnesty?
Do syringe services programs reduce or increase harmful behaviors?
Should there be a statute of limitations?
Should those who are convicted of a crime be required to report their criminal history on job and housing applications?

Politics and Government

Is the Electoral College still an effective way to elect the President of the US?
Should we allow judges to serve on the Supreme Court indefinitely?
Should the US establish a national gun registry?
Countries like Israel and China require all citizens to serve in the military. Is this a good or bad policy?
Should the police force require all its officers to wear body cameras while on duty?
Should the US invest in the development of clean meat as a sustainable protein source?
Should the US adopt ranked-choice voting?
Should institutions that profited from slavery provide reparations?
Should the government return land to Native American tribes?
Should there be term limits for representatives and senators?
Should there be an age limit for presidential candidates?
Should women be allowed in special forces units?

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

Should schools have uniforms?
Can video games improve problem-solving skills?
Are online classes as effective as in-person classes?
Should companies implement a four-day work week?
Co-ed learning versus single-sex: which is more effective?
Should the school day start later?
Is homework an effective teaching tool?
Are electric cars really better for the environment?
Should schools require all students to study a foreign language?
Do professional athletes get paid too much money?

Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

Should we allow pets to run for public office?
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Would students benefit from schools swapping out desks with more comfortable seating arrangements (i.e., bean bag chairs and couches)?
Is procrastination the key to success?
Should Americans adopt British accents to sound more intelligent?
The age-old dilemma: cats or dogs?
Should meme creators receive royalties when their memes go viral?
Should there be a minimum drinking age for coffee?
Are people who make their beds every day more successful than those who don’t?

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

Is the movie ranking system an effective way to evaluate the appropriateness of films?
Should the government place a “health tax” on junk food?
Is it ethical to create artificial life forms that are capable of complex emotions?
Should parents let children choose their own names?
Creating clones of ourselves to serve as organ donors: ethical or not?
Is it ethical to engineer humans to be better and more optimized than nature intended?
Should we adopt a universal language to communicate with people from all countries?
Should there be a penalty for people who don’t vote?
Should calories be printed on menus?
Does tourism positively or negatively impact local communities?
When used by non-Natives, are dreamcatchers cultural appropriation?
Should companies require their employees to specify pronouns in their signature line?
Should commercial fishing be banned?
Are cemeteries sustainable?
Is it okay to change the race, culture, and/or gender of historical figures in movies or TV shows?

I’ve Chosen My Topic, Now What?

Once you’ve selected your topic, it’s time to get to work crafting your argument. Preparation for a persuasive speech or essay involves some key steps, which we’ve outlined for you below.

How to Create a Successful Persuasive Speech, Step by Step

Research your topic. Read widely and smartly. Stick to credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, published books, government reports, textbooks, and news articles. The right sources and data will be necessary to help you establish your authority. As you go, take notes on the details and nuances of your topic as well as potential counterarguments. Research the counterarguments, too.
Choose an angle. For example, if you chose the topic “Should we limit screen time for children?” your speech should come down firmly on one side of that debate. If your topic is frequently debated, such as abortion, capital punishment, gun control, social media, etc. try to find a niche angle or new research. For example, instead of “Should abortion be legal?” you might consider “Should you be able to order abortion pills online?” Another example: “Should the death penalty be banned?” might become “How long is it ethical for someone to stay on death row?” If you do some digging, even the most cliche topics have incredibly interesting and relatively unexplored sub-topics.
Create an outline. Your outline should include an introduction with a thesis statement, a body that uses evidence to elaborate and support your position while refuting any counterarguments, and a conclusion. The conclusion will both summarize the points made earlier and serve as your final chance to persuade your audience.
Write your speech. Use your outline to help you as well as the data you’ve collected. Remember: this is not dry writing; this writing has a point of view, and that point of view is yours . Accordingly, use anecdotes and examples to back up your argument. The essential components of this speech are logos (logic), ethos (credibility), and pathos (emotion) . The ideal speech will use all three of these functions to engage the audience.

How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech

Talk to yourself in the mirror, record yourself, and/or hold a practice speech for family or friends. If you’ll be using visual cues, a slide deck, or notecards, practice incorporating them seamlessly into your speech. You should practice until your speech feels very familiar, at least 5-10 times.
Practice body language. Are you making eye contact with your audience, or looking at the ground? Crossing your arms over your chest or walking back and forth across the room? Playing with your hair, cracking your knuckles, or picking at your clothes? Practicing what to do with your body, face, and hands will help you feel more confident on speech day.
Take it slow. It’s common to talk quickly while delivering a speech—most of us want to get it over with! However, your audience will be able to connect with you much more effectively if you speak at a moderate pace, breathe, and pause when appropriate.
Give yourself grace. How you recover from a mistake is much more important than the mistake itself. Typically, the best approach is to good-naturedly shrug off a blip and move on. 99% of the time, your audience won’t even notice!

Good Persuasive Speech Topics—Final Thoughts

The art of persuasive speaking is a tricky one, but the tips and tricks laid out here will help you craft a compelling argument that will sway even the most dubious audience to your side. Mastering this art takes both time and practice, so don’t fret if it doesn’t come to you right away. Remember to draw upon your sources, speak with authority, and have fun. Once you have the skill of persuasive speaking down, go out there and use your voice to impact change!

Looking for some hot-button topics in college admissions? You might consider checking out the following:

Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
Should I Apply Test-Optional to College?
Should I Waive My Right to See Letters of Recommendation?
Should I Use the Common App Additional Information Section?
High School Success

Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook A Great Dark House (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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106 Artificial Intelligence Essay Topics & Samples

In a research paper or any other assignment about AI, there are many topics and questions to consider. To help you out, our experts have provided a list of 76 titles , along with artificial intelligence essay examples, for your consideration.

💾 Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on artificial intelligence, 🖱️ interesting artificial intelligence topics for essays, 🖥️ good ai essay titles, ❓ artificial intelligence research questions.

AI and Human Intelligence.
Computer Vision.
Future of AI Technology.
Machine Learning.
AI in Daily Life.
Impact of Deep Learning.
Natural Language Processing.
Threats in Robotics.
Reinforcement Learning.
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
The Problem of Artificial Intelligence The introduction of new approaches to work and rest triggered the reconsideration of traditional values and promoted the growth of a certain style of life characterized by the mass use of innovations and their integration […]
Artificial Intelligence: Positive or Negative Innovation? He argues that while humans will still be in charge of a few aspects of life in the near future, their control will be reduced due to the development of artificial intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence: The Helper or the Threat? To conclude, artificial intelligence development is a problem that leaves nobody indifferent as it is closely associated with the future of the humanity.
Artificial Intelligence and Humans Co-Existence Some strategies to address these challenges exist; however, the strict maintenance of key areas under human control is the only valid solution to ensure people’s safety.
Artificial Intelligence Advantages and Disadvantages In the early years of the field, AI scientists sort to fully duplicate the human capacities of thought and language on the digital computer.
Autonomous Controller Robotics: The Future of Robots The middle level is the Coordination level which interfaces the actions of the top and lower level s in the architecture.
Application of Artificial Intelligence in Business The connection of AI and the business strategy of an organization is displayed through the ability to use its algorithm for achieving competitive advantage and maintaining it.
Artificial Intelligence Managing Human Life Although the above examples explain how humans can use AI to perform a wide range of tasks, it is necessary for stakeholders to control and manage the replication of human intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence in the Documentary “Transcendent Man” The artificial intelligence is becoming a threat to the existence of humanity since these machines are slowly but steadily replacing the roles of mankind in all spheres of life.
Artificial Intelligence: Pros and Cons Artificial intelligence, or robots, one of the most scandalous and brilliant inventions of the XX century, causing people’s concern for the world safety, has become one of the leading branches of the modern science, which […]
Artificial Intelligence and People-Focused Cities The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between the application of effective AI technologies to enhance urban planning approaches and the development of modern smart and people focused cities.
Artificial Intelligence and Related Social Threats It may be expressed in a variety of ways, from peaceful attempts to attract attention to the issue to violent and criminal activities.
What Progress Has Been Made With Artificial Intelligence? According to Dunjko and Briegel, AI contains a variety of fields and concepts, including the necessity to understand human capacities, abstract all the aspects of work, and realize similar aptitudes in machines.
Artificial Intelligence: A Systems Approach That is to say, limitations on innovations should be applied to the degree to which robots and machine intelligence can be autonomous.
Turing Test: Real and Artificial Intelligence The answers provided by the computer is consistent with that of human and the assessor can hardly guess whether the answer is from the machine or human.
Saudi Arabia Information Technology: Artificial Intelligence The systems could therefore not fulfill the expectations of people who first thought that they would relieve managers and professionals of the need to make certain types of decisions.
Artificial Intelligence and Video Games Development Therefore, in contrast to settings that have been designed for agents only, StarCraft and Blizzard can offer DeepMind an enormous amount of data gathered from playing time which teaches the AI to perform a set […]
Artificial Intelligence System for Smart Energy Consumption The proposed energy consumption saver is an innovative technology that aims to increase the efficiency of energy consumption in residential buildings, production and commercial facilities, and other types of structures.
Artificial Intelligence Reducing Costs in Hospitality Industry One of the factors that contribute to increased costs in the hospitality industry is the inability of management to cope with changing consumer demands.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Delivery and Control Side Effects This report presents the status of AI in healthcare delivery and the motivations of deploying the technology in human services, information types analysed by AI frameworks, components that empower clinical outcomes and disease types.
Artificial Intelligence for Diabetes: Project Experiences At the end of this reflective practice report, I plan to recognize my strengths and weaknesses in terms of team-working on the project about AI in diabetic retinopathy detection and want to determine my future […]
Artificial Intelligence Company’s Economic Indicators On the other hand, it is vital to mention that if an artificial intelligence company has come of age and it is generally at the level of a large corporation, it can swiftly maneuver the […]
Artificial Intelligence and Future of Sales It is assumed that one of the major factors that currently affect and will be affecting sales in the future is the artificial intelligence.
Apple’s Company Announcement on Artificial Intelligence This development in Apple’s software is a reflection of the social construction of technology theory based on how the needs of the user impact how technological development is oriented.
Artificial Intelligence Threat to Human Activities Despite the fictional and speculative nature of the majority of implications connected to the supposed threat that the artificial intelligence poses to mankind and the resulting low credibility ascribed to all such suggestions, at least […]
Artificial Intelligence and the Associated Threats Artificial Intelligence, commonly referred to as AI refers to a branch of computer science that deals with the establishment of computer software and programs aimed at the change of the way many people carry out […]
Non Experts: Artificial Intelligence Regardless of speed and the complexity of mathematical problems that they can solve, all that they do is to accept some input and generate desired output. This system is akin to that found in a […]
Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence: Prediction versus Judgment
Maintaining Project Networks in Automated Artificial Intelligence Planning
The Effects Artificial Intelligence Has Had On Society And On Business
What Role Will Artificial Intelligence Actually Play in Human Affairs in the Next Few Decades?
How Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Can Impact Market Design
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Today’s Technological Devices
The Correlation of Artificial Intelligence and the Invention of Modern Day Computers and Programming Languages
How Artificial Intelligence Will Affect Social Media Monitoring
Artificial Intelligence and Neural Network: The Future of Computing and Computer Programming
The Foundations and History of Artificial Intelligence
Comment on Prediction, Judgment, and Complexity: A Theory of Decision Making and Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence And Law: A Review Of The Role Of Correctness In The General Data Protection Regulation Framework
Artificial Intelligence: Compared To The Human Mind’s Capacity For Reasoning And Learning
A Comparison Between Two Predictive Models of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence as a Positive and Negative Factor in Global Risk
Search Applications, Java, and Complexity of Symbolic Artificial Intelligence
Integrating Ethical Values and Economic Value to Steer Progress in Artificial Intelligence
Computational Modeling of an Economy Using Elements of Artificial Intelligence
The growth of Artificial Intelligence and its relevance to The Matrix
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Innovation
The Potential Negative Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Future
An Overview of the Principles of Artificial Intelligence and the Views of Noam Chomsky
How Artificial Intelligence Technology can be Used to Treat Diabetes
Artificial Intelligence and the UK Labour Market: Questions, Methods and a Call for a Systematic Approach to Information Gathering
An Overview of Artificial Intelligence and Its Future Disadvantage to Our Modern Society
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications in Smart Production: Progress, Trends, and Directions
Comparing the Different Views of John Searle and Alan Turing on the Debate on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A Comparison of Cognitive Ability and Information Processing in Artificial Intelligence
Improvisation Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications for Income Distribution and Unemployment
The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Real-Time Strategy Games
Advancement in Technology Can Someday Bring Artificial Intelligence to Reality
Artificial Intelligence Based Congestion Control Mechanism Via Bayesian Networks Under Opportunistic
Artificial Intelligence Is Lost in the Woods a Conscious Mind Will Never Be Built Out of Software
An Analysis of the Concept of Artificial Intelligence in Relation to Business
The Different Issues Concerning the Creation of Artificial Intelligence
Traditional Philosophical Problems Surrounding Induction Relating to Artificial Intelligence
The Importance of Singularity and Artificial Intelligence to People
Man Machine Collaboration And The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence
What Are the Ethical Challenges for Companies Working In Artificial Intelligence?
Will Artificial Intelligence Have a Progressive or Retrogressive Impact on Our Society?
Why Won’t Artificial Intelligence Dominate the Future?
Will Artificial Intelligence Overpower Human Beings?
How Does Artificial Intelligence Affect the Retail Industry?
What Can Artificial Intelligence Offer Coral Reef Managers?
Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Computational Economists Any Time Soon?
How Can Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Impact Market Design?
Can Artificial Intelligence Lead to a More Sustainable Society?
Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Humans at Job?
How Can Artificial Intelligence Help Us?
How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect the Job Industry in the Future?
Can Artificial Intelligence Become Smarter Than Humans?
How Would You Define Artificial Intelligence?
Should Artificial Intelligence Have Human Rights?
How Do Artificial Intelligence and Siri Operate in Regards to Language?
What Are the Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on the Creative Industries?
How Can Artificial Intelligence Help Us Understand Human Creativity?
When Will Artificial Intelligence Defeat Human Intelligence?
How Can Artificial Intelligence Technology Be Used to Treat Diabetes?
Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Mankind?
How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect Social Media Monitoring?
Can Artificial Intelligence Change the Way in Which Companies Recruit, Train, Develop, and Manage Human Resources in Workplace?
How Does Mary Shelley’s Depiction Show the Threats of Artificial Intelligence?
Why Must Artificial Intelligence Be Regulated?
Will Artificial Intelligence Devices Become Human’s Best Friend?
Does Artificial Intelligence Exist?
Can Artificial Intelligence Be Dangerous?
Why Do We Need Artificial Intelligence?
Agile Project Management Research Topics
Data Management Essay Ideas
Software Engineering Topics
Digital Transformation Topics
Functionalism Titles
Cognitive Development Essay Ideas
Information Management Paper Topics
Chicago (A-D)
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IvyPanda. (2023, November 8). 106 Artificial Intelligence Essay Topics & Samples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/artificial-intelligence-essay-examples/

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IvyPanda . (2023) '106 Artificial Intelligence Essay Topics & Samples'. 8 November.

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1. IvyPanda . "106 Artificial Intelligence Essay Topics & Samples." November 8, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/artificial-intelligence-essay-examples/.

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IvyPanda . "106 Artificial Intelligence Essay Topics & Samples." November 8, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/artificial-intelligence-essay-examples/.

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13 Read: Addressing AI or Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence and academic integrity.

“The key is that even though people can relinquish full or partial control to artificial intelligence apps, allowing the technology either to write for them or to write with them, humans remain responsible for the result. It is important to prepare young learners and university students for this reality, which is not a distant future, but already the present” (Eaton, 2023).

*Under Construction – but WELCOME CTAM FRIENDS!

LEARNING outcomes

Students will:.

Define Artificial Intelligence
Apply the academic integrity statement from your institution to the use of Artificial Intelligence
Understand how to use Artificial Intelligence as an academic tool
Understand the limitations of using Artificial intelligence as an academic tool
Develop strategies to avoid academic dishonesty when using Artificial Intelligence

NOTE to CTAM friends

This video describes how i used this in the class:.

Link to resources:

Informative Speech Assignment
Shara’s Speech on Food Deserts
Shara’s Speech Outline

Follow Up Questions:

How do the topics generated by Chat GPT compare to your list?
What topics do not meet the assignment (on your list and the AI list)?
Does the Chat GPT outline meet the assignment?
How can Shara adapt even more to our own class?
What can you gain for your own need to research, adapt, etc.

CHAPTER Introduction:

To prepare for this chapter, we asked ChatGPT to write an essay about Artificial Intelligence. This was the response:

Sample AI Generated Essay

arm and hand extended that is robotic to symbolize Artificial Intelligence.

Prompt: Please write an introduction to what is “AI” or artificial intelligence, the consequences of college students using artificial intelligence to write an assignment, essay, or speech, and how you can use artificial intelligence as an educational tool when writing an essay or speech.

Use five academic sources with parenthetical references and works cited. Include standards from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Did the AI tool correctly attribute sources? Check out the Works Cited page to see.

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that involves creating intelligent machines that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and natural language processing. In recent years, AI has become increasingly prevalent in various aspects of our lives, including education. One of the most significant consequences of college students using AI to write assignments, essays, and speeches is that it raises questions about academic integrity and the authenticity of the work. However, AI can also be used as an educational tool to improve students’ writing skills and enhance their learning experience.

Consequences of College Students Using AI for Writing

Using AI to write assignments, essays, and speeches can have both positive and negative consequences. One of the most significant negative consequences is that it can lead to academic dishonesty. As a result, academic institutions may need to invest more time and resources into detecting and preventing plagiarism. According to a study by the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI), over 50% of college students surveyed admitted to plagiarizing written material using the internet (ICAI, 2021).

On the other hand, AI can also have positive consequences for students using it to write. Some AI writing tools can help students overcome writer’s block and generate ideas for their assignments. They can also help students identify and correct grammar and spelling errors in their writing, which can improve the overall quality of their work (Bernhardt, 2021). Additionally, using AI can help students learn how to write more efficiently and effectively by providing them with instant feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Using AI as an Educational Tool for Writing

AI can also be used as an educational tool to enhance students’ writing skills and improve their learning experience. For example, some AI writing tools, such as Grammarly and ProWritingAid, offer personalized feedback and suggestions to students as they write, helping them learn from their mistakes and improve their writing skills (Bernhardt, 2021).

Moreover, some AI-powered writing tools, such as EssayJack, provide students with structured frameworks for writing essays and speeches, guiding them through the writing process step-by-step. This can be especially helpful for students who struggle with organizing their thoughts and ideas and need extra support to complete writing assignments (EssayJack, 2021).

While the use of AI for writing assignments, essays, and speeches raises concerns about academic integrity, it also has potential benefits for students. AI can be a valuable educational tool for improving students’ writing skills and enhancing their learning experience. As educators and academic institutions grapple with the challenges of integrating AI into the writing process, it is essential to consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks and to ensure that students receive the support they need to learn and grow as writers.

Bernhardt, D. (2021). AI Writing: Can Artificial Intelligence Create Better Content? Retrieved from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/ai-writing-can-artificial-intelligence-create-better-content/411472/

EssayJack. (2021). EssayJack: AI Writing Assistant. Retrieved from https://essayjack.com/

International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI). (2021). Plagiarism in Higher Education. Retrieved from https://www.academicintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Plagiarism-in-Higher-Education.pdf

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. (n.d.). Academic Standards. Retrieved from https://www.minnstate.edu/board/policy/academicpolicies/aca030.html

Attribution

GPChat, generated on 3/27/2023 from https://chat.openai.com/chat

Ethical Considerations

Just because you can, should you? This age-old question can be applied to AI for college-level work or other types of work. In a review of academic integrity and dishonesty statements of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the following is stated:

At the same time, the Pew Research Center reports, “A new Pew Research Center survey finds that many Americans are aware of common ways they might encounter artificial intelligence (AI) in daily life, such as customer service chatbots and product recommendations based on previous purchases. At the same time, only three-in-ten U.S. adults can correctly identify all six uses of AI asked about in the survey, underscoring the developing nature of public understanding” (Pew Research Center, 2023).

Colleges and universities are quickly discussing the use of “natural language processors” by students. Courtney Culle n (2023), the Program Coordinator in the Office of Academic Honesty at the University of Georgia, shares in her blog:

I would liken this to a moral panic. That is not to say there are not some legitimate concerns, but one must ask how practitioners and instructors did not see this coming. We have issues with students using online translation tools in foreign language courses and paraphrase mixers in writing intensive courses. Contract cheating is equally insidious, though perhaps more cost-prohibitive. In other words, dealing with ChatGPT will soon become just another day at the office. Already, private individuals have developed AI-generated text, such as GPTZero , AI Writing Check , CrossPlag , and OpenAI itself.Before we know it, plagiarism detection 2 providers, like TurnItIn , will have their own AI-writing checks ( Riordan, 2023 ).

How AI Tools Can Be Educationally Beneficial

Eaton (2023 gives insight into AI’s educational benefits: s. “When students use tools or other people to complete homework on their behalf, that is considered a form of academic dishonesty because the students are no longer learning the material themselves. The key point is that it is the students, and not the technology, that is to blame when students choose to have someone – or something – do their homework for them. There is a difference between using technology to help students learn or to help them cheat. The same technology can be used for both purposes.” Eaton continues, “In many cases, the text itself is completely original – sometimes to a fault. ChatGPT, for example, can fabricate details and the resulting text is not only original, it can be completely untrue” (Eaton, 2023). For example, consider the following:

Harvard Business Publishing:

(Cano Venuti & Martinez, 2021)

Yvette Mucharraz Cano, Francesco Venuti, and Ricardo Herrera Martinez note how “AITGs can be used in a participant-centered learning process” in their Havard Business Publishing article:

Text generators like ChatGPT can boost our collective familiarity with AI and how to use it, a critical competency for our students and their futures. Industries move quickly, and new technologies push them to continue innovating. We must be the first facilitators of new technologies as they emerge and teach our students how to use them appropriately (technically and ethically). If not us, who? AITGs can assist educators in preparing and reviewing sessions by providing them with additional resources or helping them create engaging educational content that can lead to a better learning experience for students. Educators and students already use search engines, citation and research management apps, spellcheckers, and data collection tools; the addition of tech like ChatGPT has the potential to develop written materials previously validated including scripts, examples, tests questions, or even cases analysis to be discussed in class. AITGs can save educators time by automatically grading students’ assignments or doing educators’ repetitive work—for example, preparing announcements and instructions for assignments or exams; or providing feedback to students when making “recurrent” or common mistakes in solving their exercises; or preparing basic but customized guidelines for activities, such as how to structure a research thesis or how to solve an exercise. AITGs can also be effectively used to give students automatic feedback on their essays and texts. AITGs can be used for training purposes. For example, students can use ChatGPT to emulate conversations and develop their language skills and abilities through conversational interactions with the chatbot. ChatGPT could be used to improve engagement in online learning by increasing students’ motivation in asynchronous sessions or activities. Students will find using an innovative tool to be exciting while discovering its potential use in day-to-day tasks, for example to write emails, send text messages, or even prepare a draft of a contract. It can also send automatic but customized feedback and instructions in online courses to help students stay on track (further increasing their engagement in the course). (Cano, Venuti & Martinez, 2021)

Ethical and Practical Concerns

AI is not always correct. Ironically, I found blatant errors when asking ChatGPT how to generate the citation for the above Harvard Business article:

Given the shortcomings of AI-generated citations that I discovered, it is wise to heed Gino’s caveat: “Our warning to users is that just because this tool can generate a coherent response that follows the syntactic, grammatical, and structural rules of many different languages does not mean it is true or complete. As humans, we tend to take a basic approach to accepting an argument—the more coherent a speech or text is, the more likely we are to take it as valid. Confusing coherence with truth can lead to disastrous mistakes. Since some of the information from the original source can be biased, invalid, or unreliable, and, since it is not reviewed for validation, AITGs can generate coherent answers that have wrong or biased responses” (Gino, 2021)

Another error can occur when asking for information, such as citations. This image shows how many times Lori had to ask ChatGPT to rewrite the citation correctly. Checking for accuracy is essential. *I will add a better image.

Slow Down Artificial Intelligence?

These errors are not only an issue of accuracy of fact, but errors may perpetuate racial and other biases. Please listen to stories from National Public Radio’s Marketplace Tech. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381443930/future-tense

Transcript link:

https://mlpp.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/357/2023/03/CAD1905230066.mp3

Optional Additional Interesting Links

Business Insider: A college student got a top grade for an essay written with the help of ChatGPT, report says ( Beatrice Nolan , Apr 10, 2023)

Optional Deeper Dive

Educators continue to grapple with how to teach and respond to AI. Dr. Bryan Alexander shares a conversation with his learning cohort:

Eaton, S. E. (2023, March 4). Artificial intelligence and academic integrity, post-plagiarism. Academic Integrity Blog. https://academicintegrity.org/resources/blog/110-2023/march-2023/428-artificial-intelligence-and-academic-integrity-post-plagiarism

Gino, F. (2021, February 17). ChatGPT and AI Text Generators: Should Academia Adapt or Resist? Harvard Business School Publishing. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/chatgpt-and-ai-text-generators-should-academia-adapt-or-resist

Pew Research Center. (2023, February 15). Public Awareness of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Activities. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/02/15/public-awareness-of-artificial-intelligence-in-everyday-activities/ps_2023-02-15_ai-awareness_00-01/

Riordan, R. (2023, February 15). Artificial Intelligence: Friend, Foe, or Neither? International Center for Academic Integrity. https://academicintegrity.org/resources/blog/110-2023/february-2023/422-artificial-intelligence-friend-foe-or-neither?highlight=WyJhcnRpZmljaWFsIiwiaW50ZWxsaWdlbmNlIiwiYXJ0aWZpY2lhbCBpbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2UiXQ==

Attributions

The Public Speaking Resource Project Copyright © 2018 by Lori Halverson-Wente and Mark Halverson-Wente is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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May 24, 2024

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700+ Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Wow Your Audiences

The hardest part of speeches is to decide on the topic! The most comprehensive list of persuasive speech topics is here! Choose your topic and let Decktopus create a presentation based on this topic.

What's Inside?

What is a persuasive speech?

Before talking more in-depth, we need to understand what a persuasive speech is. A persuasive speech is a type of speech where the speaker aims to convince or persuade the audience. The aim is to adopt, accept, or change beliefs about a particular viewpoint or take an action. The ultimate goal is to influence the audience's attitudes, behaviors, or opinions on a specific topic.

The Structure of a Persuasive Speech

A persuasive speech includes arguments, evidence supporting the arguments, and examples.It often includes an introduction to the topic, the body with main points and supporting details, and a conclusion that reinforces the key message.

Introduction: In the introduction, the speaker should introduce themselves and their credibility about this topic. After introducing yourself, give your thesis statement in a way that will grab the audience’s attention and show your expertise on the topic. In the end, state the main argument or the idea of the speech.
Body: In the body part, the ideas introduced in the introduction should be supported. This part should include supporting evidence and examples. The listeners should be able to understand the logical reasoning behind your argument. Thus, you may also mention the counterarguments and your position against them.
Conclusion: In the last part, as in the conclusion, key points should be summarized, the main argument should be concluded, and a memorable closing statement should be given. In the end, the main aim is to leave audiences as persuaded!

Persuasive Speech vs. Informative Speech

A persuasive speech is different from an informative speech. In an informative speech, the goal is to give information about a specific topic. Whereas in a persuasive speech, the speaker presents a conflict and favors a side of their speech.

We've launched new course at Decktopus Academy : " Mastering the Basics: Public Speaking For Beginners ." This comprehensive series is designed to equip you with fundamental skills, effective structuring, impactful delivery techniques, and the strategic use of humor.

Whether you're new to public speaking or looking to refine your skills, this course is your go-to resource. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your communication skills. After all, effective communication is the secret sauce behind every successful leader! Explore the course details here !

How to Deliver a Persuasive Speech

Tips and tricks to wow your audience, 1. decktopus.

Every speech needs powerful visuals! Decktopus can create your speech and turn it into a presentation simultaneously! Decktopus is a one-click solution for your persuasive speech!

Decktopus is an AI-powered presentation tool with multiple features. With its easy-to-use interface, all you have to do is answer five basic questions! After, a slide ready to present will be ready for you! This slide will include necessary information about your topic, images, logos, graphs, and titles!

To create an AI-powered slide in Decktopus, all you have to do is follow these 3 steps:

Go to Decktopus . Sign in to Decktopus with your e-mail or Google account. On the Dashboard, you can choose to create your slide from scratch, create with a template, or create with AI. Click on the “Create with AI” option.

Try Decktopus AI now!

Follow the instructions by Decky! Answer the four questions with the help of our trusted AI. These questions are:

What is your presentation about?

Who is your audience?

What is the aim of this deck?

Which template would you like to use?

Enter your persuasive speech topic, and let Decktopus create a powerful presentation for you!

Now, you have a slide ready! You can present it immediately, or you can make adjustments on Decktopus !

You can change the template, titles, texts, fonts, colors, images, graphs, or positions of the elements! Everything is possible!

2. Choose the Right Topic

Choosing the appropriate topic is one of the most important parts of persuasive speeches. You should consider your interest and your audience's interest as well!

Think about a topic that you will enjoy when preparing for the speech and also presenting it. You will focus and research this topic for hours! So, choose what you are passionate about!

Also, consider your audience! Think about your audience's thoughts about the specific topic. Try to come up with an interesting but not strongly opposed topic!

3. Organize Your Speech Carefully

The format of your speech is as important as its content! Try to divide your speech into separate parts. Your speech should move smoothly from one part to another. This will captivate your audience and keep their attention! You may also consider creating an outline for this purpose.

List of Good Persuasive Speech Topics

In this blog, we combined a long list of persuasive speech topics divided into categories. Choose your topic carefully! After that, visit Decktopus 's website and create the best presentation for your speech!

Persuasive Speech Topics about Arts, Humanities and Culture

Should tattoos still be considered “unprofessional”?
Importance of performing arts for holistic development
Graffiti: Art or Nuisance
Importance of art and culture
Museums are the dying reservoir of arts and culture
Entry to museums should be free
The slow death of ancient art forms
Modern art lacks authenticity
Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
Should digital designs be considered an art form?
Should abstract art be considered an art form?
Should graffiti be considered art?
Should all national museums be free to citizens?
Should an artist comply with the rules set by society while working on a project?
Funding the Arts: Investing in Creativity as a Public Good
Art Censorship: Where Should We Draw the Line?
The Role of Public Art in Community Engagement

Best Literature and Movies Persuasive Speech Topics

Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
Should we keep reading classic literature that is offensive?
Can a movie persuade you with something you don’t believe in?
Is creating films and documentaries about criminals glorifying them and inspiring some to become criminals themselves?
Should there be a distinction between ‘high’ and ‘low’ literature?
Are libraries becoming obsolete?
Do romantic movies and books glorify an unrealistic idea of love and lead to heartbreak?
Books are the only source of learning
Who is a hero? What are the “heroic” qualities?
Living underwater: A reality or science fiction?

Psychology and Mental Health Persuasive Speech Topics

Is music therapy effective?
Does watching TV shows or movies about teenage suicide encourage it or prevent it?
Simple ways to overcome stress.
Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
Should art and music therapy be prioritized over traditional talk therapy?
How can writing a journal help you become a better person?
Does watching reality television affect people’s mental health?
Can action movies cause unwanted stress?
Reality shows affect people’s mental health.
Reading inspirational and humorous quotes improves your mood
Can child abuse and traumas lead to future mental disorders?
Can family history make children more prone to stress and anxiety?
Personality disorders among teens. Are they easy to identify?
How our differences make us unique
Is empathy better for our social relationships?
Learning from your mistakes
Social media affects people’s self-image and self-confidence
Phobias of children, teens, and adults. What are the similarities and differences?
When is it right to give children medications to overcome mental issues?
Suicide among teenagers. Is the media affecting it?
Studying psychology stresses students.
Peer pressure is the cause of a lot of mental problems during the teenage years.
The Necessity of Mental Health Education in High Schools
Workplace Mental Health: Employer Responsibilities
Social Media's Role in Adolescent Mental Health
De-stigmatizing Mental Health in Sports Culture
Mental Health First Aid: As Crucial as Physical First Aid?
The Impact of Sleep on College Students' Mental Health
Access to Mental Health Services for the Homeless
The Correlation Between Creativity and Mental Health
Mental Health Screenings as a Standard in Annual Physicals
The Role of Nutrition in Mental Well-being

Motivation and Self-Growth

Following dreams is hard
Goal setting is important for success
Overcoming stage fright is crucial for success
Importance of creating a positive vibe
Sustainable living is a source of motivation
Happiness can be measured
Personal experience is more important than rote learning
Exposure to violence leads to demotivation
Video games increase motivation

Persuasive Speech Topics about Travel

Airline tickets should be cheaper
Travel brings new experiences
Travel makes you more inclusive
Eco-tourism is important for sustainable development
Flying first class is a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Traveling in a guided group is monotonous
Traveling and studying abroad are positive experiences.
Solo travel allows the best way to self-exploration
Antarctica should not be open to tourists
Environmentally endangered sites should not allow tourism
Tourism boosts the local economy

School Policies and Education System

Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
Schools should host annual arts festivals
Should performing arts be made credit-based?
Should art be a compulsory discipline?
Should art classes be mandatory for all students?
Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
Should classes about mental health and wellness be added to the school curriculum?
At what age or grade should sex education be taught in schools?
Should school funding be dependent on taxes of district residents, or should all schools receive an equal amount of funding from the state?
What are the benefits of year-round schools?
Are charter schools hurting or helping low-income communities?
Is homeschooling beneficial or harmful to children?
Should students on the Autism spectrum be integrated into regular classrooms?
What should be the qualifications for books to be banned from schools?
Are grades an accurate representation of learning?
Should we switch to the metric system?
What are the benefits of making preschool free to all families?
Is forcing students to say the Pledge a violation of their right to freedom of speech?
Should we ban certain books from school libraries?
Should we remove historical figures who owned slaves and support slavery from school textbooks and other educational materials?
The Importance of Cultural Exchange Programs in Education
Should bullies in schools be expelled?
Should students be allowed to listen to music during study hall?
Should all elementary schools be required to teach a foreign language?
Should schools include meditation or relaxation breaks during the day?
Should boys and girls be taught in separate classrooms?
Should grades in gym class have an effect on a student’s GPA?
Should teachers get a bonus when their students score well on standardized tests?
Should children of undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend public schools?
Should elementary schools teach at least one foreign language?
Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?
What are the best ways for schools to stop bullying?
Should post-secondary education be free?
Should programming and coding be introduced to young students?
Should school lunches be free?
Does the education system prepare students for adult life?
Should gyms be mandatory for all students?
Do schools need to do a better job of teaching students a second language?
Should schools teach sign language?
What age should students be taught sex ed?
Should distant learning be encouraged or avoided at all costs?
Should schools have longer recess time?
Should schools make swimming lessons mandatory?
Proper research is needed to write a short essay.
High-school and middle-school students should be trained to do presentations.
Improving students’ presentation skills
Should uniforms be obligatory in schools?
Should there be separate classrooms for boys and girls?
Students sent to boarding schools: A responsibility and a risk
Does homework fulfill its purpose, or is it just a burden for students?
The positive possible effect of spending a year as an exchange student
Cell phones shouldn’t be allowed in schools
Taking a year off school. Can it help you?
Hilarious games in the class can help shy students get along with others
A student’s grade: Is it a fair method of evaluation?

High Schools

Should school districts offer bilingual education programs for non-native speakers?
Should schools do away with their physical education requirements?
Would trade schools and other forms of vocational training benefit a greater number of students than traditional institutions of higher education?
Should taking a year off between high school and college be mandatory?
Should high schools mandate a certain number of volunteer hours for students?
Should schools incorporate a remote learning option into their curriculum?
What is the most important book every high school student in America should read?
What are the benefits of teaching art and music classes in high school?
How can sex education be taught more effectively?
Should advanced math classes in high school be replaced with more practical courses on financial literacy and understanding taxes?
The importance of volunteering in your community
The benefits of implementing mindfulness exercises in schools
Why high school students should learn financial literacy
Should school uniforms be mandatory in all high schools?
The need for comprehensive sex education in schools
Extracurriculars are a waste of time
The importance of promoting mental health awareness among teenagers
Is there any benefit or relevance to teaching Shakespeare to high school students?
Is it fair to take cell phones away from kids in middle/high school while they are in class?
Should schools prohibit the use of cell phones on school grounds?
Should independent learning be offered as a larger option in high school?

College and Career

Should the cost of college be reduced?
Are income-share agreements better for students than taking out student loans?
Should college athletes be paid like professional athletes are?
Are same-sex colleges beneficial or antiquated?
Should everyone go to college?
What are the benefits of taking a gap year before starting college?
Would removing tenure and job protection from professors improve or reduce the quality of higher education?
Has the traditional college model become outdated in the age of the Internet?
Should you pursue a career based on your passions or a career based on earning potential?
Should colleges use standardized testing in their admissions processes?
The advantages of studying abroad during college
The impact of technology on higher education
The benefits of participating in internships during college
Why college students should engage in extracurricular activities
The importance of developing critical thinking skills in college
Should Greek life at colleges be abolished?
Do frats and sororities actually serve their purpose?
Is college/university necessary anymore?
Computer-based learning is the most effective.
Gamification and virtual reality are the future of education
MCQs are better than essay tests
Only main papers should be considered for grading
Academics are the only criteria for individual success
Rote learning is the best way to get good grades
Conceptual clarity beats rote learning

Good Persuasive Speech Topics about Music

Why guitar music is superior to everything else
Metal is modern classical music, and you don’t know it
Why music makes everything we do easier
Music is becoming more repetitive, here’s how
Is modern music really worse than older music?
Are biographical movies of deceased musicians and artists ethical?
Digital music should be free to download and listen
Song lyrics affect our lives in a number of ways
Should online music be free of charge?
Lyrics in a song can impact our lives.

Persuasive Speech Topics about the Fashion Industry

Pop fashion is getting influenced more and more by alternative subcultures
Clothes don’t define a person, but they help people look at you differently
How fashion trends differ from one culture to another
You can’t buy fashion taste no matter how rich you are
Why are women the leaders in the fashion industry?
Men shouldn’t wear pink.
Eco-fashion is the future.
Fashion reveals the true identity
Sustainable clothing is the way to go
Clothes define a person
Jewelry defines your worth
Fashion is an important part of society
Certain fashion brands have a negative influence on society
The fashion industry has the greatest influence on teenagers
Celebrity-endorsed fashion brands are the best
Why are skinny jeans for men even a thing?

Government Politics and Society

Should voting become mandatory?
The world needs younger politicians, not 70-year-olds
What could politicians do to appeal to younger generations of voters?
Should prisoners have the right to vote?
Would it be better in the U.S. if elected politicians were younger?
Should the police use rubber bullets instead of real bullets?
Are private, for-profit prisons a threat to prisoners’ rights?
Should U.S. military funding be increased or decreased?
Should there be stricter or looser restrictions to qualify for welfare assistance?
Is our current two-party political system good enough or in need of replacing?
Should major corporations be eligible for tax breaks?
How can the current policy on undocumented immigrants in America be improved?
Should it be illegal for politicians to receive donations from large corporations?
Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
Should there be a penalty for people who don’t vote?
Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
Should guns be allowed in public places?
Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
Can the government promote non-college education for a higher income?
The problem of spending on biological weapons
Is the government really taking the right steps to eliminate cultural sensitivity?
To vote or not to vote: A question asked by a lot of people
Obesity in children is related to living a fast-paced life. What is the role of the government?
Getting a driving license: Is one test per lifetime enough?
Should smokers pay a health tax?
Is the government spending too much on the military sector?
Should the government run a campaign to promote cultural diversity and tolerance?
Should the government be able to control the population?

Persuasive Speech Topics about Ethics

Is the death penalty ethical?
Juvenile delinquency is acceptable.
Prostitution should be legal.
Underage driving should be punishable by law
Beauty pageants for children should be banned
Prisoner’s right to vote
Doctor-assisted suicide should be legal.
Should we legalize euthanasia?
Is it ethical to use animals for medical research?
Is it ethical to allow access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients?
Should we allow genetic engineering in humans?
Is the death penalty obsolete?
Should we allow the cloning of humans?
Is wearing fur unethical?
Should prostitution be legalized?
What is the solution for the mistreatment of farm and circus animals?
Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
Should terminally ill individuals have access to Euthanasia?
Should people be required to shovel snow from the sidewalks in front of their houses?
Should product testing on animals be required?
Should white supremacist groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
Should ethics be taught as a mandatory high school class?
Should beauty pageants for children be banned?
Do parents deceive children by telling them about Santa Claus?
Is it ethical to allow performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
Voting rights should not be universal
Guns should be banned from college campuses
The death penalty should be abolished
Substance abuse is a cause of social evils
Underage alcohol consumption should lead to prison time
Creating clones of ourselves to serve as organ donors: ethical or not?
Is it ethical to engineer humans to be better and more optimized than nature intended?
Is it ethical to create artificial life forms that are capable of complex emotions?
Racism will always exist no matter how hard we try

Social Issues

College education: should the government make it free for all?
Should we provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrants?
Is physician-assisted suicide morally justifiable?
Does social media have a negative impact on democracy?
Does cancel culture impede free speech?
Does affirmative action help or hinder minority groups in the workplace?
Should we hold public figures and celebrities to a higher standard of morality?
Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
Should the national drinking age be lowered?
Should paparazzi be banned and unable to sell their photos?
Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?

Social Media

Should social media platforms ban political ads?
Do the benefits of social media outweigh the downsides?
Should the government hold social media companies responsible for hate speech on their platforms?
Is social media making us more or less social?
Do platforms like TikTok exacerbate mental health issues in teens?
Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens’ privacy?
Is it right for parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts?
Should social media companies enact a minimum user age restriction?
Should we require social media companies to protect user data?
Should we hold social media companies responsible for cyberbullying?
Should schools ban the use of social media from their networks?
Media has a negative influence on teenagers
Media influences political decisions
The impact of social media on mental health and self-esteem
The benefits of using social media for networking and professional development
The importance of digital literacy and online safety education
The role of social media in promoting social and political activism
The need to practice responsible social media usage
Should there be an age limit on social media?
Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
Should social media be censored?
Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?

Entertainment (TV Shows, Video Games, and More)

Reality shows are a source of exploitation
Reality shows are anything but real
Reality shows are scripted
Reality shows dilute important topics of discussion
TV shows influence human behavior
TV shows reflect the society around
Reality shows reduce human IQ
TV shows are a great source of motivation
Are romcoms and erotica series like Fifty Shades of Grey empowering for women?
Is reading actually more beneficial than watching TV or playing video games?
Should video games be considered a high form of entertainment?
Do violent video games encourage players to become violent in real life?
Are paper books better than e-books?
Video games cause a lot of stress.
People who spend their time playing video games are more prone to depression.
Video games can enhance people’s brain and muscle coordination
Children who play video games have faster responses
How will gaming look ten years from now?
Virtual reality affects people’s perception.
Living without computers is impossible.
A video game can be the easiest way to teach kids.
Watching people playing video games is as fun as watching real sports like football matches.
Will playing video games cause behavior problems?
The gaming industry is affecting every aspect of our lives
Video games are not popular among kids only
Playing video games with random people online
Can video games improve problem-solving skills?

Environment and Conservation

Should fuel-run vehicles be banned?
How does it benefit nature to reduce human paper consumption?
What is the biggest current threat to the environment, and how would you suggest we remedy it?
Should disposable diapers be banned?
Environmental pollution is a global concern.
Developed nations are to blame for global warming
The greenhouse effect threatens human existence
Limiting the use of natural resources and fossil fuels
Should fracking be legal?
A complete switch to renewable energy is the way to go
Using plastic is self-defeating
Humans are to blame for environmental degradation
What is the best type of renewable energy?
Should plastic bags be banned in grocery stores?
Carpooling can save the environment.
Noise pollution is detrimental to human development
More political and legal measures should be taken to protect the environment
Businesses have a serious obligation to protect the environment
There should be a strict policy against polluting the ocean
Should there be government policies against the use of disposable diapers?
Recycling paper is going to save our planet
Are we taking the right measures to get over the global warming issue?
The Case for a Four-Day Workweek to Reduce Carbon Emissions
Why Every Neighborhood Should Have a Community Garden
Banning Plastic Straws: Just the Tip of the Environmental Iceberg
The Impact of Fast Fashion on Our Planet
Should Public Transit Be Free to Combat Climate Change?
The Role of Personal Responsibility in Global Waste Reduction
The Environmental Cost of Cryptocurrency Mining
Can we ever live in a truly ‘green’ and environmentally friendly society?
Should water bottles be banned?
Are businesses responsible for implementing environmentally friendly production and products?
Should there be a carbon tax?
Should electric cars be mandatory in the near future?
Should we switch over to entirely renewable energy?
Do low-income families have the same duties to be eco-conscious as high-income families do? Should plastic bags and single-use plastic be completely banned?
Should car racing be banned?
Should fast fashion be banned?
Should offshore drilling be allowed in protected marine areas?

Conservation of Animals and Animal Rights

Should it be okay to own exotic animals as pets?
Should hunting be made illegal?
Keeping an animal away from its home will affect the environmental balance
Should animal testing be illegal?
Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?
Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like tigers and monkeys?
Should "animal selfies" in tourist locations with well-known animal species (like koalas and tigers) be allowed?
Should puppy mills be banned?
Should zoos and animal theme parks (such as SeaWorld) be closed?
There should be strict penalties to protect endangered species
Urban Beekeeping: A Solution to Declining Bee Populations
What is better: Buying pets or Adoption?
Why is Elephant riding unethical?
Should there be a ban on animal testing?
Testing products on animals: is it ethical or not?
Is it right to keep animals in zoos?
Should we use products made with animal fur?
Euthanizing stray animals: is it ethical?
Can a companion or service animal change someone’s life?
Is it rational to be scared of harmless yet frightening or unusual animals?
Keeping wild and exotic pets away from their natural habitat. Is it ethical?
Should we spay pets to control their overpopulation?
Keeping uncommon animals at home. Is it good for them?
Ten ways we can help animals live better

Great Persuasive Speech Topics about Family

Should children have the right to virtual and physical privacy from their parents?
“It takes a village to raise a child.” How important is a community in raising children?
Should we require parents to vaccinate their children?
Should we require companies to give mandatory paternal and maternal leave?
Is it better for a young child to attend daycare or stay home with a parent?
Should children be told to believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy?
Should the government limit how many children a couple can have?
Is spanking children an acceptable form of discipline?
The benefits of family meals and regular family time
The importance of open communication within families
The impact of divorce on children and ways to support them
The benefits of spending quality time with grandparents
The role of parental involvement in a child’s education
Nature vs. nurture—which is the most powerful influence on a person’s character?
Should parents have to give approval in order for their minor children to receive birth control?
How does learning about family ancestors impact you in the present and future?
Should parents teach their kids about sex, or is it the responsibility of the school system?
What is the most beneficial parenting style, and why?
How to run a business with your family?
Should children and teens be worried more about their privacy or safety?
Can video games be used in educating children and teens?
Having an older/younger sibling. The perks and the challenges
Is internet censorship for kids a must?
Children will still read books if they are interesting enough
The Benefits of Family Game Night on Child Development
Should Parents Limit Screen Time or Control Content?
The Importance of Teaching Financial Literacy at Home
Family Meals: A Solution to Better Communication and Health
The Role of Grandparents in Modern Family Structures
Balancing Work and Family: A Modern Dilemma
Encouraging Children to Participate in Household Chores

Persuasive Speech Topics about Religion

Should cults receive protection under freedom of religion?
What are the benefits of belonging to a religious community?
Should parents force their children to go to church or let them decide for themselves?
Studying religion is a motivational act
Awesome stories about the ancient gods and goddesses
Should the religious slaughter of animals be banned?
How to overcome conflicts and arguments between people who believe in different religions?
Should the argument that God exists be discussed in a classroom?
Emotional stories from the Bible can help people renew their belief
New age spirituality: A fact or a myth
Current vs. ancient interpretations of the Bible
Children should be allowed to choose their religion
Should religious organizations be required to pay taxes?
Is atheism a problem of the 21st century?
Should religion be taught as a high school subject?
Should the Church of Scientology be exempt from paying taxes?
Should religious leaders be involved in politics?
Should priests be allowed to get married?
Should women be allowed to be priests?
Should public prayer be allowed in schools?
Should countries be allowed to only accept refugees with certain religious beliefs?
Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
Should the church be separated from the state?
Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?

Science and Technology

Should we allow parents to choose their children’s physical attributes through genetic engineering?
Will robots reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
Does technology make kids lazy?
What age should children be allowed to have a cell phone?
Does electronic use make people less creative?
Is Net Neutrality a good thing or a bad thing?
Should human cloning be allowed?
Should self-driving cars be legal?
Should genetically modified foods be sold in grocery stores?
Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
Should the US government increase NASA's budget?
Should Pluto still be considered a planet?
Are search engines replacing libraries?
Should all new buildings be energy efficient?
What is the influence of technology on humanity’s future?
Should all workplaces offer hybrid/remote work?
Should we pursue Artificial Intelligence?
Should tech companies regulate the development of AI systems and automation to protect humans’ jobs?
Should we limit screen time for children?
Is it ethical for AI models like Dall-E to train themselves on artists’ work without the artists’ permission?
Should the government regulate the use of personal drones?
Is mass surveillance ethical? Does its threat to civil liberties outweigh its benefits?
Are virtual reality experiences a valuable educational tool?
Do the positive effects of powerful AI systems outweigh the risks?
Do voice assistants like Siri and Alexa invade individuals’ privacy?
Are cell phone bans in the classroom effective for improving student learning?
Does the use of facial recognition technology in public violate individuals’ privacy?
Do we need to put resources into traveling to space?
Should parents monitor their children’s online activity?
Is it okay for phones to use facial recognition and fingerprint technology?
Is technology actually addicting?
Can we blame technology for increased stress and anxiety?
Are security cameras and body cameras an invasion of privacy?
Should the internet be surveilled or managed?
Should video game chats be surveilled or even banned?
Are machines replacing human labor?
Should cloning be outlawed/banned?
Spending money to explore space is going to improve life for humans
The scientific world is changing way too fast
Which renewable energy option would the US do best to invest in?
Should the US prioritize space exploration over domestic initiatives?
Should companies with a high carbon footprint be punished?
Should the FDA ban GMOs?
Would the world be a safer place without nuclear weapons?
Does AI pose a greater threat to humanity than it does the potential for advancement?
Are electric cars really better for the environment?
Google is the death of libraries
Social media is an end of face-to-face conversations
AI is the future of technology
Technology is changing our lives
Limiting screen time for adults
The government should regulate internet usage
Technology has made life better
Internet chat rooms are not safe
Humans are addicted to technology
Internet fraud awareness: Must for cybersecurity

Convincing Speech Topics for Business

The importance of people’s skills for the success of your business
Are introverts better entrepreneurs?
How can a mentor affect your success as an entrepreneur?
Understanding your position in the market. How can it affect your current and future business plan?
Social media is going to affect your marketing plan
Why should you go after your passion in business?
Starting a successful business with no money
The value of unorthodox business ideas
Using feedback from unhappy customers to enhance your sales
The importance of delegation
Employers ask for their employees’ social media accounts. Is it right or wrong?
Employers shouldn’t ask questions related to an employee’s personal life
Most businesses advertise the same way and lack boldness
Brilliant ways to make money in the 21st century

Ideas of Persuasive Speech Topics about Sports

Should colleges pay student-athletes?
Should we ban violent contact sports like boxing and MMA?
Should sports leagues require professional athletes to stand during the national anthem?
Should sports teams ban players like Kyrie Irving when they spread misinformation or hate speech?
Should high schools require their athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
Should the Olympic Committee allow transgender athletes to compete?
Should high schools ban football due to its safety risks to players?
Sports can boost learning effectiveness
Competitive sports teach us a lot about life
Why we should consider gamers as professional athletes
Reasons why women's sports don’t get that much attention
Football is a dangerous sport.
Why are sports so popular globally?
Why is soccer the most popular sport in the world?
Everyone likes sports; they just haven’t found the one they like
Physical training is objectively good for everyone
How performance-enhancing drugs are used in professional sports
Why are professional athletes paid so well
Is it ethical to sell/buy players in sports?
Are the Olympics still the most important sports event?
Studying martial arts is good for the mind and health.

Health and Medicine

Using genetically modified foods is bad for our health
Using painkillers is not healthy
The power of crystal healing can improve our mental and physical health
Cancer is the most important disease that doctors should research now
How your diet can cause the onset of different health conditions
Using supplements should be controlled
Coming up with guidelines that control stem cell research
How can science be used to improve the lives of physically challenged individuals?
A migraine is usually overlooked at school or in the workplace
Alternative medication: The truth and the myths
Infertility in couples is related to stress and unhealthy lifestyles
Mental health issues affect the whole of society
The food industry is the reason behind obesity
Everyone should donate blood at least once a year
How to overcome back pain? Different treatment options
Using a mouthwash after brushing your teeth is essential for your dental health
Do cell phones affect our brains?
Non-smokers should be first on the organ transplant lists
Is biohacking good for your health?
Diet beverages do not actually make you lose weight
Using the right amount of salt in your food is going to affect your health
Keeping your immune system strong is a must
How to save lives: The answer is organ donation
Should minors be able to purchase birth control without their parent's consent?
Conventional vs organic produce: does it really make a difference in your health?
Should governments tax soda and other sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
Should we teach yoga and meditation in public schools?
Should high schools provide free condoms to students?
Should massages be seen as necessities rather than luxuries?
Should hiding or lying about your HIV status with someone you're sleeping with be illegal?
Keto vs. Paleo vs. Vegan: which diet is better?
Should a patient be allowed to deny medical care?
Should the US switch to single-payer health care?
Top things to do in order to improve the way your body and brain function
Why Every Adult Needs a Nap Time Just Like Kindergarten
The Art of Procrastination: Why It’s a Skill, Not a Flaw
How Being Lazy Can Actually Make You More Efficient
Why We Should Have a National 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day
The Conspiracy Theory That Socks Disappear in the Dryer
Pets Should Have Social Media Accounts: The Pros
Why Teenagers Should Give Technology Advice to Adults
Coffee vs. Tea: The Ultimate Showdown for Morning Supremacy
How Horoscopes Can Solve All Your Work and Love Troubles
Why We Should Elect a Cat as the Next President
Should universal health care be freely given to everyone?
Should soda and candy be banned from school campuses?
Should tobacco products be completely banned in America?
Is a plant-based diet better than a meat-based diet?
Should addiction counseling and treatment be covered by health insurance?
Would taxing fast food help combat obesity?
Should we ban all genetically modified foods?
What would be the benefits of making all birth control methods (e.g. condoms, the pill) free of charge?
Should homeopathic and alternative medical treatments be covered by health insurance?
Should we do away with the minimum wage? Why or why not?
Is it ethical for companies to use unpaid internships as a source of labor?
Does the gig economy benefit or harm workers?
Is capitalism the best economic system?
Is it ethical for companies to use sweatshops in developing countries?
Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
Should the government regulate prices on pharmaceutical drugs?
Should the government enact a universal base income?
Brexit will fuel the UK economy
There should be no minimum wage
Political unrest decelerates economic growth
You need to start saving for retirement now.
Economics as a discipline must be mandatory
The economic growth of China is a model to follow
Free trade agreements are bad for labor
The economy is defined by a few rich industrialists
Foreign labor slows down the economy
Import duty should be removed
Exports boost economic growth

Funny and Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

Should we allow pets to run for public office?
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Would students benefit from schools swapping out desks with more comfortable seating arrangements (i.e., bean bag chairs and couches)?
Is procrastination the key to success?
Should Americans adopt British accents to sound more intelligent?
The age-old dilemma: cats or dogs?
Should meme creators receive royalties when their memes go viral?
Is the movie ranking system an effective way to evaluate the appropriateness of films?
Should the government place a “health tax” on junk food?
Should parents let children choose their own names?
Should we adopt a universal language to communicate with people from all countries?
We are living better than ever, but we still complain
The prison system doesn’t create better humans
Being untidy doesn’t make you creative or special
We should have a royal family.
Bigfoot is real.
Bitcoin and other digital currencies are the future
Spending time with your grandparents
Texting while driving should be illegal
Using single-use plastic containers should be banned
School days should start later in the day
Immigration laws should be more lenient
Living with refugees from other countries
Students should be able to pick their schools
Should a student be allowed to skip school if they want to?
Paying more taxes: Is it a good or a bad thing?
Should human beings control the weather?
Blaming your younger sibling for the mess you made
Which music is your mind playing in the background during intense situations?
Just because we have opinions doesn’t mean they are valuable
Putting an Instagram filter on your selfie doesn’t make you a photographer
Why do stuff when you can play video games?
“Be a musician,” they said, but nobody came to my gig
Did you do something wrong? Blame it on your zodiac sign
I have plans for the weekend! sleep and watch movies
It's important to grow things in a garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) what are some easy persuasive speech topics.

Choosing a topic is relative for everyone. Our advice is if you have a specific interest, choosing that as a persuasive speech topic may be easier for you. In other case, here are three topics that are easy and interesting to make a presentation on:

2) What are some examples of persuasive speech topics for students and teens?

As students spend most of their time in school, it may be easier to make a persuasive speech about revisions to school policies. All your classmates and teachers surely will understand you! Here are our recommendations:

3) What are some persuasive essay topics?

In our list above, you can find 700+ persuasive speech topics! After, create your slide with Decktopus . Decktopus will not only create a slide for you but also fill the slide with appropriate text, graphs, and images!

4) What are some persuasive speech topics for school and college?

Considering a topic that includes schools and/or colleges may be a good idea for you! Your audience will mostly consist of peers, fellow classmates, and teachers, who are all familiar with the school environment. For college, consider these topics:

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 105 interesting persuasive speech topics for any project.

General Education

Are you struggling to find good persuasive speech topics? It can be hard to find a topic that interests both you and your audience, but in this guide we've done the hard work and created a list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. They're organized into ten categories and cover a variety of topics, so you're sure to find one that interests you.

In addition to our list, we also go over which factors make good persuasive speech topics and three tips you should follow when researching and writing your persuasive speech.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

What makes certain persuasive speech topics better than others? There are numerous reasons, but in this section we discuss three of the most important factors of great topics for a persuasive speech.

It's Something You Know About or Are Interested in Learning About

The most important factor in choosing and creating a great persuasive speech is picking a topic you care about and are interested in. You'll need to do a lot of research on this topic, and if it's something you like learning about, that'll make the process much easier and more enjoyable. It'll also help you sound passionate and informed when you talk, both important factors in giving an excellent persuasive speech.

It's a Topic People Care About

In fourth grade, after being told I could give a persuasive speech on any topic I wanted to , I chose to discuss why the Saguaro cactus should be the United State's national plant. Even though I gave an impassioned talk and drew a life-size Saguaro cactus on butcher paper to hang behind me, I doubt anyone enjoyed the speech much.

I'd recently returned from a family vacation to Arizona where I'd seen Saguaro cacti for the first time and decided they were the coolest thing ever. However, most people don't care that much about Saguaro cacti, and most people don't care what our national plant is or if we even have one (for the record, the US has a national flower, and it's the rose).

Spare yourself the smattering of bored applause my nine-old self got at the end of my speech and choose something you think people will be interested in hearing about. This also ties into knowing your audience, which we discuss more in the final section.

It Isn't Overdone

When I was in high school, nearly every persuasive speech my classmates and I were assigned was the exact same topic: should the drinking age be lowered to 18? I got this prompt in English class, on standardized tests, in speech and debate class, etc. I've written and presented about it so often I could probably still rattle off all the main points of my old speeches word-for-word.

You can imagine that everyone's eyes glazed over whenever classmates gave their speeches on this topic. We'd heard about it so many times that, even if it was a topic we cared about, speeches on it just didn't interest us anymore.

The are many potential topics for a persuasive speech. Be wary of choosing one that's cliche or overdone. Even if you give a great speech, it'll be harder to keep your audience interested if they feel like they already know what you're going to say.

An exception to this rule is that if you feel you have a new viewpoint or facts about the topic that currently aren't common knowledge. Including them can make an overdone topic interesting. If you do this, be sure to make it clear early on in your speech that you have unique info or opinions on the topic so your audience knows to expect something new.

105 Topics for a Persuasive Speech

Here's our list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. We made sure to choose topics that aren't overdone, yet that many people will have an interest in, and we also made a point of choosing topics with multiple viewpoints rather than simplistic topics that have a more obvious right answer (i.e. Is bullying bad?). The topics are organized into ten categories.

Arts/Culture

Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
Should all national museums be free to citizens?
Should graffiti be considered art?
Should offensive language be removed from works of classic literature?
Are paper books better than e-books?
Should all interns be paid for their work?
Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
Will Brexit hurt or help the UK's economy?
Should all people over the age of 65 be able to ride the bus for free?
Should the federal minimum wage be increased?
Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
Should Black Friday sales be allowed to start on Thanksgiving?
Should students who bully others be expelled?
Should all schools require students wear uniforms?
Should boys and girls be taught in separate classrooms?
Should students be allowed to listen to music during study hall?
Should all elementary schools be required to teach a foreign language?
Should schools include meditation or relaxation breaks during the day?
Should grades in gym class affect students' GPAs?
Should teachers get a bonus when their students score well on standardized tests?
Should children of undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend public schools?
Should students get paid for getting a certain GPA?
Should students be allowed to have their cell phones with them during school?
Should high school students be allowed to leave school during lunch breaks?
Should Greek life at colleges be abolished?
Should high school students be required to volunteer a certain number of hours before they can graduate?
Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?
What are the best ways for schools to stop bullying?
Should prostitution be legalized?
Should people with more than one DUI lose their driver's license?
Should people be required to shovel snow from the sidewalks in front of their house?
Should minors be able to drink alcohol in their home if they have their parent's consent?
Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
Should flag burning as a form of protest be illegal?
Should welfare recipients be required to pass a drug test?
Should white supremacist groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
Should assault weapons be illegal?
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Should beauty pageants for children be banned?
Is it OK to refuse to serve same-sex couples based on religious beliefs?
Should transgender people be allowed to serve in the military?
Is it better to live together before marriage or to wait?
Should affirmative action be allowed?
Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Government/Politics

Should the government spend more money on developing high-speed rail lines and less on building new roads?
Should the government be allowed to censor internet content deemed inappropriate?
Should Puerto Rico become the 51st state?
Should Scotland declare independence from the United Kingdom?
Whose face should be on the next new currency printed by the US?
Should people convicted of drug possession be sent to recovery programs instead of jail?
Should voting be made compulsory?
Who was the best American president?
Should the military budget be reduced?
Should the President be allowed to serve more than two terms?
Should a border fence be built between the United States and Mexico?
Should countries pay ransom to terrorist groups in order to free hostages?
Should minors be able to purchase birth control without their parent's consent?
Should hiding or lying about your HIV status with someone you're sleeping with be illegal?
Should governments tax soda and other sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
Should high schools provide free condoms to students?
Should the US switch to single-payer health care?
Should healthy people be required to regularly donate blood?
Should assisted suicide be legal?
Should religious organizations be required to pay taxes?
Should priests be allowed to get married?
Should the religious slaughter of animals be banned?
Should the Church of Scientology be exempt from paying taxes?
Should women be allowed to be priests?
Should countries be allowed to only accept refugees with certain religious beliefs?
Should public prayer be allowed in schools?

Science/Environment

Should human cloning be allowed?
Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like tigers and monkeys?
Should "animal selfies" in tourist locations with well-known animal species (like koalas and tigers) be allowed?
Should genetically modified foods be sold in grocery stores?
Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?
Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
What is the best type of renewable energy?
Should plastic bags be banned in grocery stores?
Should the United States rejoin the Paris Agreement?
Should puppy mills be banned?
Should fracking be legal?
Should animal testing be illegal?
Should offshore drilling be allowed in protected marine areas?
Should the US government increase NASA's budget?
Should Pluto still be considered a planet?
Should college athletes be paid for being on a sports team?
Should all athletes be required to pass regular drug tests?
Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
Are there any cases when athletes should be allowed to use steroids?
Should college sports teams receive less funding?
Should boxing be illegal?
Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
Should parents let their children play tackle football?
Will robots reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
What age should children be allowed to have a cell phone?
Should libraries be replaced with unlimited access to e-books?
Overall, has technology helped connect people or isolate them?
Should self-driving cars be legal?
Should all new buildings be energy efficient?
Is Net Neutrality a good thing or a bad thing?
Do violent video games encourage players to become violent in real life?

3 Bonus Tips for Crafting Your Persuasive Speech

Of course, giving a great persuasive speech requires more than just choosing a good topic. Follow the three tips below to create an outstanding speech that'll interest and impress your audience.

Do Your Research

For a persuasive speech, there's nothing worse than getting an audience question that shows you misunderstood the issue or left an important piece out. It makes your entire speech look weak and unconvincing.

Before you start writing a single word of your speech, be sure to do lots of research on all sides of the topic. Look at different sources and points of view to be sure you're getting the full picture, and if you know any experts on the topic, be sure to ask their opinion too.

Consider All the Angles

Persuasive speech topics are rarely black and white, which means there will be multiple sides and viewpoints on the topic. For example, for the topic "Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?" there are two obvious viewpoints: everyone should be allowed to own a pit bull if they want to, and no one should be allowed to own a pit bull. But there are other options you should also consider: people should only own a pit bull if they pass a dog training class, people should be able to own pit bulls, but only if it's the only dog they own, people should be able to own pi tbulls but only if they live a certain distance from schools, people should be able to own pit bulls only if the dog passes an obedience class, etc.

Thinking about all these angles and including them in your speech will make you seem well-informed on the topic, and it'll increase the quality of your speech by looking at difference nuances of the issue.

Know Your Audience

Whenever you give a speech, it's important to consider your audience, and this is especially true for persuasive speeches when you're trying to convince people to believe a certain viewpoint. When writing your speech, think about what your audience likely already knows about the topic, what they probably need explained, and what aspects of the topic they care about most. Also consider what the audience will be most concerned about for a certain topic, and be sure to address those concerns.

For example, if you're giving a speech to a Catholic organization on why you think priests should be allowed to marry, you don't need to go over the history of Catholicism or its core beliefs (which they probably already know), but you should mention any research or prominent opinions that support your view (which they likely don't know about). They may be concerned that priests who marry won't be as committed to God or their congregations, so be sure to address those concerns and why they shouldn't worry about them as much as they may think. Discussing your topic with people (ideally those with viewpoints similar to those of your future audience) before you give your speech is a good way to get a better understanding of how your audience thinks.

More Resources for Writing Persuasive Speeches

If you need more guidance or just want to check out some examples of great persuasive writing, consider checking out the following books:

Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History by William Safire—This collection of great speeches throughout history will help you decide how to style your own argument.
The Essentials of Persuasive Public Speaking by Sims Wyeth—For quick direct tips on public speaking, try this all-purpose guide.
Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo—This popular book breaks down what makes TED talks work and how you can employ those skills in your own presentations.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman—These two recent speeches by contemporary writers offer stellar examples of how to craft a compelling (and engaging) argument.

Conclusion: Persuasive Speech Ideas

Good persuasive speech topics can be difficult to think of, but in this guide we've compiled a list of 105 interesting persuasive speech topics for you to look through.

The best persuasive speech ideas will be on a topic you're interested in, aren't overdone, and will be about something your audience cares about.

After you've chosen your topic, keep these three tips in mind when writing your persuasive speech:

Do your research
Consider all the angles
Know your audience

What's Next?

Now that you have persuasive speech topics, it's time to hone your persuasive speech techniques. Find out what ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos are and how to use them here .

Looking to take your persuasive technique from speech to sheets (of paper)? Get our three key tips on how to write an argumentative essay , or learn by reading through our thorough breakdown of how to build an essay, step by step .

Want a great GPA? Check out our step-by-step guide to getting good grades in high school so you can have a stellar transcript.

Interested in learning about other great extracurricular opportunities? Learn more about job shadowing , community service , and volunteer abroad programs.

Still trying to figure out your courses? Check out our expert guide on which classes you should take in high school.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Writing a persuasive speech
100 persuasive speech ideas

Persuasive speech ideas

100 good persuasive speech topics for high school students

By: Susan Dugdale

Potentially interesting persuasive speech topics are everywhere - billions of them! But exactly how do you choose the right topic for yourself?

My goal is to help you do that easily! ☺

What you'll find on this page:

100+ persuasive speech ideas grouped by theme: animals/birds, arts/culture, automotive, business/economy, social/community, environment, education, ethics, global/world, sports...

Notes covering:

what makes a speech topic 'good'
why some topics are potentially boring for an audience to listen to and best left alone
local and 'happening now' (current) persuasive speech ideas
the best way to use this list of topics

Reading the notes before trying to decide what you'll talk about will make the process of choosing the perfect persuasive speech topic simpler.

How to pick the right persuasive speech topic

The trick to picking the best topic from the bewildering mass of possibilities begins with understanding what makes a speech topic idea 'good'.

What makes a speech topic good?

While there are many factors that combine to make a 'good' speech topic, the three main ones are:

the subject matter is something you are genuinely interested in. If you're enthusiastic about your subject, you'll enjoy doing the research required and you'll do it thoroughly. What's more, your interest will show in the way you give your speech. A passionate person is a great deal more persuasive than someone who is ambivalent about what they're talking about.
something your audience will be interested in hearing about. Before you make a final choice consider carefully who you are talking to. As a group what particular topic, subjects or issues will make them want to sit up and listen? You'll want to avoid topics that have limited or little appeal to your audience. For example, you may be fascinated by your Great-Grandmother's hand crocheted doily collection, but will your audience really share your opinion that everyone would benefit from learning to crochet? Unless they're all like you, I don't think so! Find out more about the benefits of audience analysis in effective persuasive speech preparation.
something that has not been covered a 'squillion' times, already. You want a fresh topic!

Image: colorful crochet doily. Text: 100+ good persuasive speech topics - Everyone will benefit from learning to crochet. Mmm. Perhaps not.

Return to Top

Beware! Some persuasive speech topics are tired

All the engaging 'wow, that's interesting' energy has been squeezed out of them because they have been covered over and over again. Those topics are exhausted through overuse. They've become cliches.

Most people do not want to listen to another speech:

smoking/vaping should be banned,
the legal drinking age should be raised to 21,
wearing seat belts in vehicles should be compulsory, or
the voting age should be lowered.

Even if the issues they raise are unresolved choose something else rather than risk boring your audience.

Of course, there are exceptions! If you have a genuinely fresh and interesting angle to bring, perhaps new information or research to share, then go ahead. However, make that clear from the outset, otherwise you'll risk losing your audience's interest before you've had a chance to get your speech underway.

Remember - local and topical is GOOD

Before settling on a persuasive speech topic from my list check what's going on right under your nose.

Great persuasive speech topics can pop out of your local community newspaper, radio, TV, or even your Facebook page. These could genuinely interest your audience.

After all it's where you all live and the issues in your community have an impact on everyone's wellbeing.

The 'Wellywood' sign saga

I've just flicked through a copy of the local community news I picked up at my supermarket.

There were articles about a huge sign Wellington airport is considering placing on a prominent hill alongside the runway. It will read "Wellywood".

Image -The hill above Miramar Wharf, Wellington, NZ with a sign saying Wellywood.

Airport authorities say it supports our thriving film industry, celebrating and building on the success of "The Lord of the Rings".

Those against it argue it's cheap copycatting of the famous Hollywood sign. They say the thousands of overseas visitors per day who see it will hoot and snort with derisive laughter.

There are two potential persuasive speech ideas right there: depending on your point of view, either for or against the sign.

Another piece was on the mixed success of a newly introduced recycling scheme.

Yet another was on depression alongside the story of a young man who suffered from it. What angles could be taken on either of those?

How to use this list of speech topic suggestions

Note down 3 possibilities as you go through the list of speech topics below.

As you read apply the three 'tests' for selecting a good persuasive speech topic I've already mentioned: your interest in the topic, its appeal to your audience and its freshness.

In addition to those there are a few other factors to bear in mind before committing yourself.

Other important factors to consider

Any of these could also influence your choice.

the time you have to research the topic thoroughly If it's a complex topic and you have limited time to prepare you may want to reconsider.
your desired outcome A successful persuasive speech persuades! It challenges and seeks to change the way people think, feel and behave. What do you want your audience to do as a result of hearing you speak? Sign a petition, make a donation, vote for you, volunteer ...? What you want to happen is often called a ' most wanted response ' or MWR. Being clear about that will help you choose your topic as well as shape your speech.
your credibility How qualified are you to speak on the topic you've chosen? Do you have personal experience on your side? How long have you been interested in it? Have you done your research? Have you found reliable resources from reputable sources covering all angles of your topic?

100+ good persuasive speech ideas

Image:- street art- two girls writing on wall - 'Please no more war. Love.' Text: 100 persuasive speech ideas - Graffiti is a justifiable form of social protest.

Animals/birds ...

Factory farming of animals (e.g. of cows, sheep, pigs or chickens) is inhumane.
Humane meat production is an oxymoron.
Exotic animals can make excellent pets.
Should rats, mice and birds be used in scientific experimentation?
Pit-bull dogs are dangerous.
There are significant advantages to animal testing.
Puppy mills should be illegal.
The domestic cat is a serious threat to endangered birds.
Pet therapy should receive more funding.
Birds should not be kept in cages.
Wild animals should be left in the wild.

Arts/Culture

Artists should be supported and funded by the state.
Cultural appropriation in any form is an insult.
No subject should be considered taboo in art.
Graffiti is art.
Indigenous artifacts should be returned to their rightful owners.
Famous artists are entitled to have their rights to privacy respected.
Music videos are an art form in their own right.
Art should be freely accessible to all.
Tattooing is a modern form of Fine Art.
Art appreciation and practice should be compulsory subjects.
Respecting cultural difference should be taught in all schools.
Everyone should know about the culture(s) they are born into.
Culture is essential, just like fresh air and food.
Hands-on defensive driving training should be compulsory.
Electric vehicles should be subsidized.
Internal combustion engine powered vehicles should be taxed to cover emissions.
Bicycles and cars should have separate roads.
Children under the age of 10 should not ride bicycles on public roads.
Everybody who holds a driving license should be regularly retested.
Driving while using a cell phone should be illegal.
Private vehicle ownership and use in cities should be restricted.
Public transport in cities should be readily available and affordable.

Business/Economy

Money is not the root of all evil.
Power does not necessarily corrupt.
All workers should at least receive the minimum wage.
All workers should be paid equitably for the same job regardless of differences in race, gender or sexuality.
The minimum wage should be increased.
Local businesses deserve more support.
Using cheaper foreign labor for manufacturing is ruining our economy.

Social/Community

Homelessness is the result of choice.
Becoming a parent should be an earned privilege.
Same-sex marriage should be accepted in the same way that heterosexual marriage is.
Juvenile crime is a cry for help not punishment.
Guns should not be allowed in public places.
Helping those who need it in the community should be everyone's responsibility.
Food should never be wasted.
Community service projects create healthier communities.
All education should be free.
Higher education is over-rated.
Boys and girls should be educated separately.
Students should wear uniforms.
GPAs (Grade Point Averages) are more harmful than helpful.
The state colleges versus private colleges debate is meaningless.
Sex education is essential.
Mental health should be a mandatory subject in schools.
Private (fee-paying) schools achieve better results.
Everybody who wants to go to school should be able to.
Ranking student ability using traditional examinations should be stopped.
Assessment of a student's progress should be measured against themselves not their peers.
Class sizes should be smaller.
What is right? Choosing a major on the basis of personal interest or because of a potential salary?
On-line teaching is as effective as classroom-based teaching.

Environment

Being 'green' is a fashionable fad.
Many current farming practices damage the environment and should be banned.
All plastic packaging must be banned.
Disposable diapers need to be biodegradable.
Should fracking be illegal?
Renewable energy schemes should be supported.
Climate change is a fact.
Mining in environmentally vulnerable areas should be stopped.
'Green' spaces are good for mental health. There should be more parks.
Lying is always wrong.
Truth is never debatable, or alternative.
There is never an excuse or reason good enough to declare war.
Free speech should not be confused with hate speech.
What is 'right' and 'wrong' changes from generation to generation, from culture to culture.
Is it right to allow white supremacists to hold rallies?
Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
Ethical considerations should underpin stem-cell research.
Disabilities of any sort (mental, emotional, or physical) are an opportunity for personal growth.
Healthcare is the responsibility of the individual, not the state.
What we eat, we become.
What we think, we are.
Drug addicts are chronically sick. They have a disease.
Access to effective, safe birth control should be a right.
Plastic surgery should be only for those who really need it.
Assisted dying (suicide) should be legal.
Vaccinations in schools for common infectious diseases should be compulsory.
A tax on sugar would help lessen the spread of diet related health problems.
Fast foods should not be blamed for health concerns.
Good affordable housing would solve many chronic health problems.
Therapies, like art or music, should be government funded.

Global/World

Global warming is real.
The idea of peace on earth is naive.
Nationalism creates and sustains enemies.
Cultural difference should be celebrated.
First world countries should meaningfully and freely assist countries who need help.

Government/Law/Politics

Religion has no place in government.
State censorship or surveillance is never a right course of action.
That giant international companies should not be able to dodge paying tax.
Military service should be compulsory.
It should be illegal to own or have a semi-automatic or assault weapon.
Modern media is to blame for lowering moral standards/ reading levels/ escalating violence. (Select one!)
Online games can be good for you.
Internet chat rooms should be monitored.
Facebook (or any other form of social media) is replacing the need for face-to-face communication.
Cyberbullying controls should be more actively put in place.
Monitoring media of any sort should be banned.
Religious tolerance should be encouraged.
All religious institutions should be monitored by the state.
Animal sacrifices as part of religious practice need to be viewed in context.
Should students be allowed to follow their religious practices in public schools?

Science/Technology

Food engineering is the way of the future.
Cell phone use in public places should be controlled.
Should the government put restrictions on the development and use of AI?
Designer children - is this good for future generations?
Cloning is justifiable.
Self-driving cars should be legal.
Should schools teach the use of AI tools?
The use of robots should be limited.
All professional athletes should be required to take regular drug tests.
Professional male and female athletes in the same sport should be paid equally.
Children should not be allowed to play collision sports.
Is cheerleading a sport?
Competitive sports teach us valuable life lessons.
Physical education should be a compulsory subject.
No-one should be barred from a sport because of their gender.

Getting from compelling topic to persuasive speech

For help turning your chosen persuasive speech idea into a fully-fledged speech check these pages.

Resources for preparation

Persuasive Speech Outline Find out more about structuring an effective persuasive speech using Monroe's Motivated Sequence, the classic 5 step pattern used by all professional persuaders: politicians, the advertising industry, and PR experts. There's a step-by-step example outline and a printable blank persuasive speech outline template for you to use too.

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And here's a persuasive speech example that uses Monroe's Motivated Sequence. Before you go to look I'd like you know its content is potentially controversial: suicide and the impact it has on close family and friends.
Sample Speech Outline This is the familiar 3 part speech outline - good for any type of speech. Read the step by step instructions then download a free blank speech outline to complete. Fill it in and you're ready to go!
How to Write a Speech Step by step easily followed instructions for shaping your material into an effective speech.

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Artificial Intelligence Speech Topics to Inform or Persuade
These artificial intelligence speech topics cover a broad range of AI concepts, helping you form a comprehensive understanding of this complex and ever-evolving field. In addition, they serve as informative anchors for any speech on artificial intelligence, aiding in spreading knowledge about this groundbreaking technology.
235+ Ideas for persuasive speech topics
Here are 235 of the best ideas for persuasive speech topics, categorized by topic area. {toc} How to pick a topic for your persuasive speech. ... Persuasive speech ideas about AI. AI is a hot topic these days, and people have a lot of different opinions on AI. Here are some ideas that can help you find the perfect topic for a persuasive speech ...
Persuasive Speech Generator + Topics, Examples, & Writing Tips
This persuasive speech generator ensures you don't worry about the correct or most suitable vocabulary for your text. It does everything for you and chooses the best vocabulary based on your speech's theme. 🦄 Inspiring. The online speech maker helps you draft your speech effortlessly and saves you the dreaded writer's block hassles.
112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging
112 Engaging Persuasive Speech Topics. Tips for Preparing Your Persuasive Speech. Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.
Persuasive Speech Generator
Create a persuasive speech based on a given topic, target audience, and key points. HyperWrite's Persuasive Speech Generator is an AI-driven tool that helps you create compelling and well-structured speeches based on a given topic, target audience, and key points. Leveraging powerful AI models from top AI labs and our internal systems, this tool helps you craft persuasive speeches that ...
107 Persuasive Speech Topics: A Comprehensive Guide
The best topics are those that: Spark Interest: Choose a topic that not only interests you but also has the potential to engage your audience. A topic that evokes curiosity or an emotional response can be particularly compelling. Are Debatable: A good persuasive speech topic should have clear arguments for and against.
75 Persuasive Speech Topics and Ideas
The aim of a persuasive speech is to inform, educate and convince or motivate an audience to do something. You are essentially trying to sway the audience to adopt your own viewpoint. The best persuasive speech topics are thought-provoking, daring and have a clear opinion. You should speak about something you are knowledgeable about and can ...
The potential of generative AI for personalized persuasion at scale
The AI-generated matched messages were perceived to be more effective in both the iPhone scenario (β = 0.25, CI 95 0.03-0.47, p = 0.026) and the political speech scenario (β = 0.23, CI 95 0.02 ...
AI Speech Writer
Generate a speech using an outline or description, topic, and sources or quotes. HyperWrite's AI Speech Writer is a powerful tool that helps you create compelling speeches based on an outline or description, topic, and sources or quotes. Harnessing the power of GPT-4 and ChatGPT, this AI-driven tool enables you to effortlessly craft persuasive and engaging speeches for any occasion.
Persuasive Speech Outline, with Examples
Ideas for your persuasive speech outline 1. Structure of your persuasive speech. The opening and closing of speech are the most important. Consider these carefully when thinking about your persuasive speech outline. A strong opening ensures you have the audience's attention from the start and gives them a positive first impression of you.
184 AI Topic Ideas to Write about & Essay Samples
Artificial Intelligence as Technological Advancement. Automation and digitization of healthcare services, marketing, and financial systems through AI are beneficial. While AI is significant for social and economic growth, its application in education should be limited. Artificial Intelligence's Impact on Communication.
Persuasion in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Theories and
We consider how AI complicates and promotes rethinking of persuasion theory and research. We define AI-based persuasion as a symbolic process in which a communicative-AI entity generates, augments, or modifies a message—designed to convince people to shape, reinforce, or change their responses—that is transmitted to human receivers.
30 Debate Topics About Artificial Intelligence (AI)
30 Debate Topics About Artificial Intelligence (AI) Debate Topics. The age of artificial intelligence is here! Every day, there are new and amazing advances in AI technology. But with these advances come new challenges and ethical concerns. This makes the topic of artificial intelligence a fantastic one for debates and discussions.
Speech Generator
Generate persuasive and engaging speeches based on the topic, audience, and key points. HyperWrite's Speech Generator is an AI-powered tool that helps you create persuasive and engaging speeches based on the topic, audience, and key points you provide. Utilizing advanced AI models, this tool crafts unique and captivating introductions, clear and concise presentations of key points, and strong ...
110 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Impress Your Audience
Add emotional connections with your audience. Make your argument more powerful by appealing to your audience's sense of nostalgia and common beliefs. Another tactic (which marketers use all the time) is to appeal to your listeners' fears and rely on their instincts for self-preservation. Address counterarguments.
150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024
How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech. Talk to yourself in the mirror, record yourself, and/or hold a practice speech for family or friends. If you'll be using visual cues, a slide deck, or notecards, practice incorporating them seamlessly into your speech. You should practice until your speech feels very familiar, at least 5-10 times.
106 Essay Topics on Artificial Intelligence
106 Artificial Intelligence Essay Topics & Samples. 7 min. In a research paper or any other assignment about AI, there are many topics and questions to consider. To help you out, our experts have provided a list of 76 titles, along with artificial intelligence essay examples, for your consideration. We will write.
Read: Addressing AI or Artificial Intelligence
Introduction. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that involves creating intelligent machines that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and natural language processing. In recent years, AI has become increasingly prevalent in various ...
700+ Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Wow Your Audiences
Tips and Tricks to Wow Your Audience. 1. Decktopus. Every speech needs powerful visuals! Decktopus can create your speech and turn it into a presentation simultaneously! Decktopus is a one-click solution for your persuasive speech! Decktopus is an AI-powered presentation tool with multiple features.
105 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for Any Project
105 Topics for a Persuasive Speech. Here's our list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. We made sure to choose topics that aren't overdone, yet that many people will have an interest in, and we also made a point of choosing topics with multiple viewpoints rather than simplistic topics that have a more obvious right answer (i.e.
Speech Analyzer
AI-powered speech analysis tool. HyperWrite's Speech Analyzer is an AI-driven tool that analyzes and summarizes the key themes and messages in speeches. Powered by advanced AI models, this tool identifies recurring themes, important advice, and other significant elements in a speech, providing a concise and insightful summary. Try it.
Persuasive speech ideas
100+ persuasive speech ideas grouped by theme: animals/birds, arts/culture, automotive, business/economy, social/community, environment, education, ethics, global/world, sports... Notes covering: what makes a speech topic 'good'. why some topics are potentially boring for an audience to listen to and best left alone.
Free Speech Generator: Write A Speech for Me Online
1. Head to the HIX.AI's speech generator page, and input your central theme or main idea, into the 'Speech Topic' box. 2. Set the 'Word Count' to ensure your speech meets your desired duration and context. 3. Customize the 'Target Audience' and 'Tone of Voice' options to suit your audience and event. 4.

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What are your chances of acceptance?

Your chancing factors

112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

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Science & Technology

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Do Your Research

Understand Your Audience

Have Someone Read Your Speech

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107 Persuasive Speech Topics: A Comprehensive Guide

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Education Persuasive Speech Topics

Speech Topics:

Environment Persuasive Speech Topics

Politics Persuasive Speech Topics

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

Economics – Persuasive Speech Topics

Ethics Persuasive Speech Topics

Other Persuasive Speech Topics

What is the Best Persuasive Speech Topic?

How to Research for a Persuasive Speech

Tips for Delivering a Persuasive Speech

Practice Your Speech