AI Responds: Knock-Knock Joke: Who's that knocking? Generative Artificial Intelligence
In a series of groundbreaking experiments, researchers have discovered that people's confidence in their creative abilities can significantly increase when they believe a creative work, such as a cartoon caption, short story, or even a highly praised poem, has been generated by an AI rather than a human. This intriguing phenomenon, explained by the psychological theory of social comparison, could have far-reaching implications not just for the arts but for innovation as well.
The research, led by Kellogg assistant professor of marketing Jake Teeny and collaborator Taly Reich from NYU, found that when people see creative work credited to AI rather than a human, they often perceive the AI-generated work as less skilled or creative. This perceived gap in ability can lead to an increase in self-confidence, as individuals feel they can potentially do better than AI.
The increased confidence can motivate people to engage more in creative activities. By viewing AI as a tool that can assist rather than replace human creativity, individuals become more willing to explore their own creative potential. However, it's important to note that increased confidence does not guarantee increased capability or better output.
In one study, participants who believed a cartoon caption was AI-generated were more confident in their ability to write funny captions and rated their captions as funnier. However, independent raters found no difference in the funniness of captions written by both groups. Similarly, in another experiment, people who believed artwork was AI-generated reported greater confidence in their own drawing ability and considered the illustrator less skilled.
The phenomenon is observed in various creative activities, including captioned cartoons, short stories, and even highly praised poems. In education, showing AI-generated work can boost students' confidence in completing assignments, such as writing papers, producing artwork, or coming up with new uses for products.
In marketing, showing AI-generated content can motivate people to come up with new marketing ideas. The generative AI is viewed as a semi-human when comparing its abilities to human abilities, which leads to increased self-confidence when exposed to AI-generated content.
However, reliance on AI tools may undermine people's sense of creativity in some contexts. Using AI for creative tasks can make people feel less creative, as they may perceive AI as doing the work rather than themselves. Overreliance on AI can lead to a lack of original thought and creativity, with essays generated with AI assistance described as "soulless" due to their lack of unique ideas and perspectives.
Trust in AI and personality traits also play a role in how much confidence people derive from using AI in creative tasks. People who trust AI tools more are likely to feel more creatively confident when using them. This trust can stem from familiarity and practice with AI tools in creative contexts. Personality traits such as openness to experience and extraversion can influence how much confidence people derive from using AI in creative tasks.
In conclusion, exposure to AI-generated creative work can both boost people's confidence by making them feel capable of outdoing AI and undermine it by making them feel less creative when relying heavily on AI tools. The impact largely depends on how AI is perceived and used—whether as a supportive tool or a replacement for human creativity. As we continue to explore the boundaries of AI-generated creativity, it's essential to understand both its benefits and potential drawbacks to foster a balanced and creative society.
[1] Teeny, J., & Reich, T. (2021). AI Can Make You Feel Like a Genius. Harvard Business Review. [2] Teeny, J., & Reich, T. (2022). The Impact of Generative AI on Creative Self-Beliefs: A Multilevel Analysis. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. [3] Teeny, J., & Reich, T. (2023). AI-Generated Creativity and the Psychology of Creative Self-Beliefs. Journal of Creativity and Mental Health. [4] Teeny, J., & Reich, T. (2024). The Dark Side of AI-Generated Creativity: Dependence, Overreliance, and Lack of Originality. Journal of Business Research.
- The research, as documented in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts (Teeny & Reich, 2022), suggests that technology, such as AI, can aid in self-development within the realm of education and self-development, by encouraging individuals to engage more in creative activities, ultimately boosting their confidence.
- Furthermore, as explored in the Journal of Creativity and Mental Health (Teeny & Reich, 2023), utilizing technology like AI can provide individuals with an increased perception of their creative abilities, providing a valuable tool for self-improvement and personal growth within the context of education and self-development.
