# The Hidden Cost of AI-Assisted Creativity

AI boosts individual creativity but reduces collective diversity.

- **Source:** [Sloan Management Review](https://sloanreview.mit.edu)
- **Published:** 2026-07-09
- **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai)
- **Original article:** <https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-hidden-cost-of-ai-assisted-creativity/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3efdee84-a447-4c9d-b8d9-515d8f188e72

## AI and Creativity Relationship

Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in enhancing individual creativity. It accelerates the idea generation process and improves quality, especially for less creative individuals. However, this increase can negatively impact collective diversity.

## Findings from Studies

In four different studies, it was observed that AI improved individual output quality but reduced collective idea diversity. This provides an important clue for understanding AI's impact on the creative process.

## Individual and Collective Effects

While AI boosts creativity at the individual level, it causes ideas to converge at the collective level. This could threaten long-term innovation.

## Definition of Creativity

Creativity is defined as the intersection of novelty and usefulness. An idea must be both original and valuable. AI can influence both of these dimensions.

## Importance of Idea Diversity

Creativity is measured not just by the quality and quantity of outputs but also by their diversity. Different ideas form the basis for new inquiries and innovations.

## AI's Impact on Idea Diversity

AI reduces diversity in the idea generation process, leading to similar outputs. This can decrease the chances of innovative ideas emerging.

## Managerial Implications

Managers should develop strategies to leverage AI's productivity and quality benefits while preserving idea diversity. This can support long-term innovation.

## Study Examples

Studies in various fields such as short-story writing, circular economy solutions, humor caption contests, and collaborative storytelling revealed AI's effects.

## AI-Assisted Story Writing

In one study, AI-assisted story writing increased individual creativity but also increased the similarity of collective stories. This shows how AI affects idea diversity.

## Social Dilemma

AI creates a social dilemma by providing individual benefits while reducing collective idea diversity. This raises questions about AI's role in the creative process.

## Recommendations for the Future

More research is needed to better understand AI's impact on the creative process. Additionally, strategies to preserve idea diversity should be developed.

## Conclusion and Importance

AI offers both opportunities and risks in the creative process. Therefore, understanding and balancing AI's effects is critical for future innovation.

## Sources covering this story

- https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-hidden-cost-of-ai-assisted-creativity/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._