Three Strategies To See If AI Creativity Is Limited Or Limitless

The two columns have exactly same sentences but with completely different meanings when read in reverse. We all see exactly the same AI, but each of us can come to completely different conclusions whether AI creativity is limited or limitless.

- Poon King Wang

For some, AI creativity is a mirror of our deepest fears – a descent of human creativity. For others, it is a mirror of our highest achievements – an ascent of human creativity.

Are we headed for polarisation with these opposing views? Or can we reconcile them?

In working with people with and without background in AI, we have seen both sides. From their lived experiences, we have designed three strategies to see where AI is limited and limitless, and thus reconcile these opposing views.

Strategy 01: tasks first, skills second

The first strategy is to focus on tasks instead of skills.

Many see AI generate text, images, code, songs and designs, and lump these together as creativity skills. They then extrapolate and conclude that all such skills are now under siege.

Focusing on tasks, however, tells a different story. Creativity is more than just the task of generating creations – the entire creative process is made up of many tasks. Some can now be done by AI, but others remain in the realm of human creativity. By seeing which tasks are best done by AI or humans, we have a much clearer picture of where both AI and human creativity are limited or limitless.

My reversible opening passage is a case in point: AI: As an experiment, I asked AI to generate ideas of what I could write for this piece. None passed muster – it was limited.

I: I had to think hard and push my own limits to see and decide that a reversible passage would best show the opposing sides of the debate.

AI x I: I then asked AI to generate drafts of reversible passages. It again failed, i.e., limited. It did, however, give me limitless creative ideas of what I could include, some of which I adapted.