Engineering Creativity in an Age of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Machine learning programs are getting better at solving problems every day. As manufacturing jobs are being replaced with increasingly competent algorithms, it is important to consider how, if at all, artificial intelligence can replicate human creativity. Indeed, the capacity to create beauty or harm lies at the core of this enterprise. And considering the means by which human consciousness is capable of introducing new ways of thinking and doing provides a useful entry point to discussing the role of artificial intelligence in creative work. In this chapter, we first contextualize human creativity vis-à-vis individuals, societies, and cultures. After employing a systems approach to creativity, we offer insights into the various ways artificial intelligence is becoming better poised to generate creative works. We then introduce a new model of creativity, called Creativity 4.0, and discuss how this model can be applied to the emerging fields of artificial intelligence. Our aim here is to situate proneness for creativity within emotional, cognitive, and sociocultural systems that fall outside the scope of machine learning programs. Implications for advancing creativity research and applications are discussed.