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Machine learning in human creativity: status and perspectives

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Abstract

As we write this research paper, we notice an explosion in popularity of machine learning in numerous fields (ranging from governance, education, and management to criminal justice, fraud detection, and internet of things). In this contribution, rather than focusing on any of those fields, which have been well-reviewed already, we decided to concentrate on a series of more recent applications of deep learning models and technologies that have only recently gained significant track in the relevant literature. These applications are concerned with artistic production (Sect. 2.1), the writing process (Sect. 2.2), music production (Sect. 2.3), text recognition and attribution (Sect.  2.4). After reviewing and analyzing the positive contributions as well as some of the major limitations of these technologies in each of those fields, we critically reflect (Sect.  3) on how their widespread implementation may affect humans and their creativity. In Sect. 4, we notice that deep learning models are here to stay; so, rather than embracing a negative or pessimistic stance with respect to their future applications in creative domains, we suggest a balanced approach for their assessment and beneficial usage. Finally (Sect. 5), we conclude by summarising what we have achieved and by pointing out possible future research directions.

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Notes

  1. https://www.oecd.org/publications/artificial-intelligence-in-society-eedfee77-en.htm Last Accessed December 2023.

  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/arts/design/ai-art-sold-christies.html Last accessed December 2023.

  3. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/08/ai-wins-state-fair-art-contest-annoys-humans/

    Last accessed December 2023.

  4. https://www.midjourney.com/home/ Last accessed December 2023.

  5. https://quasimondo.com/ Last accessed December 2023.

  6. https://openai.com/dall-e-2/ Last accessed December 2023.

  7. https://www.jasper.ai/demo?fpr=socialtipster Last accessed December 2023.

  8. https://openai.com/api/ Last accessed December 2023.

  9. https://thealgorithmicbridge.substack.com/p/gpt-4-rumors-from-silicon-valley Last accessed December 2023.

  10. https://schwitzsplinters.blogspot.com/2022/07/results-computerized-philosopher-can.html Last accessed December 2023.

  11. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/15/magazine/ai-language.html Last accessed December 2023.

  12. https://blog.bpmmusic.io/news/the-future-of-ai-and-music-production/ Last accessed December 2023.

  13. https://www.ampermusic.com/ Last accessed December 2023.

  14. https://www.aiva.ai/ Last accessed December 2023.

  15. A sample of music composed through these apps can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=egJ0PTKQp4U&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=NVIDIA

    Last accessed December 2023.

  16. https://mubert.com/ Last accessed December 2023.

  17. https://ai.googleblog.com/2022/10/audiolm-language-modeling-approach-to.html Last accessed December 2023.

  18. https://amadeuscode.com/app/en Last accessed December 2023.

  19. https://magenta.tensorflow.org/ Last accessed December 2023.

  20. https://www.izotope.com/ Last accessed December 2023.

  21. https://djmag.com/longreads/ai-futures-how-artificial-intelligence-will-shape-music-production Last accessed December 2023.

  22. …or for writers. However, this latter case is far more controversial and since sufficient evidence has not been gathered so far, we prefer not to analyze its ethical ramifications and potential impact on creativity (in detail) in this context.

  23. https://www.ai-darobot.com/ Last accessed December 2023.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Machine Lab Interaction, Institute for Digital Economy and Artificial Systems [IDEAS], Xiamen University [XMU], 15/F, 16/F, Building B09, Golden Brick Future Innovation Park, Jimei District, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, People’s Republic of China

    Mirko Farina

  2. Lomonosov Moscow State University [MSU], Lomonosov Building, Lomonosovskiy Prospekt 27, Ramenki District, Moscow, 119192, Russian Federation

    Mirko Farina

  3. Centro Universitario Internazionale, Arezzo, Italy

    Andrea Lavazza

  4. Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Giuseppe Sartori

  5. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Witold Pedrycz

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  1. Mirko Farina
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Farina, M., Lavazza, A., Sartori, G. et al. Machine learning in human creativity: status and perspectives. AI & Soc (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01836-5

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