Computer Models of Creativity

TLDR

Creativity is a normal aspect of human intelligence with combinational, exploratory, and transformational forms, and AI techniques already produce computer art, though whether computers can truly be creative remains a philosophical question. AI can model all three forms of creativity with impressive results, providing the first scientific insights into the phenomenon.

Abstract

Creativity isn't magical. It's an aspect of normal human intelligence, not a special faculty granted to a tiny elite. There are three forms: combinational, exploratory, and transformational. All three can be modeled by AI—in some cases, with impressive results. AI techniques underlie various types of computer art. Whether computers could “really” be creative isn't a scientific question but a philosophical one, to which there's no clear answer. But we do have the beginnings of a scientific understanding of creativity.