Breakdowns for Human-Machine Creative Reflexivity
Human-Computer Interaction
Summary
The authors explain that generative AI works differently from how humans create because it follows specific goals. They suggest using "breakdowns," or moments when things don't go smoothly, as chances for humans and machines to share ideas and reflect together. By studying how people interact during these creative pauses, the authors aim to design AI tools that support human creativity without taking control. Their early findings emphasize helping people think deeply rather than just producing automatic content.
Authors
Marianne Bossema, Somaya Ben Allouch, Rob Saunders
Abstract
Generative AI (GenAI) works via goal-directed computation, which differs fundamentally from human creative processes. This poses challenges for the intelligent support of creative experiences. We propose ``breakdowns'' as opportunities for the exchange of perspectives between human and machine. Breakdowns disrupt a flow and force us to consciously evaluate our ``being-in-the-world''. Between human and machine, breakdowns can function as openings for collaborative creative reflection. We are currently studying human-human creative interactions, to identify the markers of these inter-subjective openings, and to understand how they are used in a co-creative process. We present preliminary findings on breakdowns as a design principle for creativity support, prioritising human creative agency and meaningful reflection over automated content generation.