A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that AI significantly boosts the creativity of individual writers by improving the novelty and usefulness of their stories, particularly enhancing writing quality and engagement metrics. Titled "Generative AI enhances individual creativity but reduces the collective diversity of novel content," the research examines the impact of AI on creative writing across various skill levels.
Researchers from the University of Exeter Business School, the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and the UCL School of Management conducted a study involving 300 participants tasked with creating 'micro stories' for young adults. They found that writers using AI-generated ideas produced stories that were up to 26.6% better written and 15.2% less boring compared to those without AI assistance.
Interestingly, while less creative writers benefited significantly from AI suggestions—improving both novelty and emotional appeal—more creative writers experienced minimal gains. Writers with access to multiple AI-generated ideas saw their stories scoring higher in emotional characteristics, making them more enjoyable and engaging.
However, the study also highlights a potential drawback: AI-assisted stories tended to exhibit more similarity to each other, suggesting a risk of reduced collective novelty in creative output. This finding raises concerns about the broader impact of AI on creative diversity if widely adopted in creative industries like publishing.
Professor Oliver Hauser from the University of Exeter emphasized the study's implications for understanding how generative AI impacts human creativity, noting both its enhancing effects on individual creativity and the potential for diminishing collective novelty. Assistant Professor Anil Doshi from UCL School of Management cautioned about the risk of a downward spiral in creative diversity if AI tools become ubiquitous in creative processes.
In conclusion, while generative AI shows promise in enhancing creative outputs, the study underscores the need for careful consideration of its implications on overall creative diversity and originality in creative industries.
