How does generative artificial intelligence impact student creativity?

Abstract

This study aimed to learn about the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on student creative thinking skills and subsequently provide instructors with information on how to guide the use of AI for creative growth within classroom instruction. This mixed methods study used qualitative and quantitative data collected through an AUT test conducted in a college-level creativity course. The authors measured flexibility, fluency, elaboration, and originality of the data to assess the impact of ChatGPT-3 on students’ divergent thinking. The results advocate for a careful approach in integrating AI into creative education. While AI has the potential to significantly support creative thinking, there are also negative impacts on creativity and creative confidence. The authors of this study believe that creativity is central to learning, developing students’ ability to respond to challenges and find solutions within any field; thus the results of this study can be applicable to any classroom faced with the impact and/or integrating the use of AI on idea generation.