Reimagining Rhetoric: Integrating AI, Automation, and Ethical Philosophy into the Rhetoric Teaching Program for the Digital Workforce

The Rhetoric Teaching Program (RTP) has traditionally developed persuasive communication skills, cultural awareness, and ethical reasoning [1]. However, rapid technological transformation necessitates integrating AI-driven automation, digital media literacy, and civic engagement into rhetorical education [2]. This paper proposes an expanded RTP framework incorporating Automation-as-a-Service (AAAS), an emerging AI model that automates governance, media, and business decision-making [3]. By equipping students (ages 5–21) with the ability to critically engage with AI-driven public discourse, governance, and social structures [4], this framework fosters informed agency in an increasingly algorithmic society [5]. The integration of Buddhist and Taoist philosophies further enhances students' cognitive resilience against automated persuasion [6]. This paper examines the theoretical foundations, pedagogical strategies, and broader ethical implications of the enhanced RTP, positioning it as a necessary adaptation for rhetorical education in the digital age and a crucial driver of employability in AI-influenced fields [7].