AI & Human Creativity

AI & Human Creativity

Published December 12, 2023

A Kahn Institute Short-Term Project

February 26, March 4, & March 11, 4:30–7:30 p.m.

Organizing Fellows

Luca Capogna, Mathematical Sciences
Susan Levin, Philosophy

Project Description

AI has the potential to support and extend human creativity. It can serve as a powerful tool for artists, writers, musicians, and designers by providing inspiration and generating ideas. For example, AI can analyze vast datasets of art or music to generate new pieces inspired by the styles of famous artists. It can also assist writers by suggesting phrases or storylines; it can even generate entire stories. Indirectly, AI can aid creativity by allowing the automation of repetitive tasks. As the proliferation of AI continues to shape how we engage in—and even conceptualize—creative pursuits across a broad range of disciplines, we can anticipate significant opportunities and challenges.

Incorporating AI in the human creative process also raises important ethical and societal questions. As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, issues relating to copyright, intellectual property, and plagiarism will require rethinking. AI might also reinforce existing biases, potentially limiting the diversity of creative output, and yet it may provide opportunities to expand creative work to more individuals and societies. What’s more, our very conceptualization of human creativity and innovation may need to be revisited.

This short Kahn project will consider these issues in a series of three sessions, addressing AI and human creativity in the sciences, literature, and the arts. Each will include Smith faculty who will set the stage with their own takes on AI and human creativity, followed by a free-flowing conversation.

If you have questions about the project, please feel free to contact us for more information. To join the conversation, please complete this form by Monday, December 11. Applicants will be notified about their acceptance by Tuesday, December 19 and will need to confirm their attendance by Friday, January 12.