The Impact of AI on Creativity: Boosting Individuality but Diminishing Collective Originality

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter Business School, the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Exeter, and the UCL School of Management in London has shed light on the impact of AI on creativity.

The study found that AI can enhance creativity for individuals who consider themselves less creative, but it may have a dampening effect on overall creative output. In the study, participants were divided into three groups: one without AI assistance, one with AI-generated story ideas, and one with a selection of up to five AI-generated ideas.

The results showed that authors with AI support wrote more creative and useful stories than the control group, especially those who perceived themselves as less creative. However, the stories generated with AI assistance were significantly more similar to each other, leading to a potential 'downward spiral' effect where collective originality declines.

These findings highlight the need for caution when using generative AI for creative tasks, as it may inadvertently diminish diversity and innovation in creative outputs.