Artificial intelligence as a tool for creativity

Abstract

The release of ChatGPT has sparked quite a bit of interest about creativity in the context of artificial intelligence (AI), with theorizing and empirical research asking questions about the nature of creativity (both human and artificially-produced) and the valuing of work produced by humans and artificial means. In this article, we discuss one specific scenario identified in the creativity research community – co-creation, or use of AI as a tool that could augment human creativity. We present emerging research relevant to how AI can be used on a continuum of four levels of creativity, from mini-c/creativity in learning to little-c/everyday creativity to Pro-C/professional creativity and Big-C/eminent creativity. In this discussion, AI is defined broadly, not to include only large language models (e.g., ChatGPT) which might approach general AI, but also other computer programs that perform tasks typically understood as requiring human intelligence. We conclude by considering future directions for research on AI as a tool for creativity across the four c's.