University of Washington researchers collaborated with a group of 12 children aged seven to 13 to investigate how AI tools might influence their creativity. They found that while children could integrate AI into their creative processes, they often required support from adults and peers. The study, presented at the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, aimed to explore a balanced approach where AI supports rather than replaces creativity in children.
The study’s lead author, Michele Newman, highlighted the need for ethical and meaningful practices around AI technology, particularly in children’s creative endeavors. The research involved observing children’s interactions with AI tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E, as well as structured activities like story writing using specific software.
Key findings revealed that AI systems were not tailored for children, leading to mismatches between expectations and capabilities. Children demonstrated nuanced ethical considerations, such as the impact of AI-generated content on the authenticity of creative expression. The study emphasized the importance of supporting individual creative processes and fostering meaningful experiences with AI through collaborative networks of support from adults and peers.
The research involved multiple co-authors from various disciplines and was partly funded by the U.S. Institute for Museum and Library Services.
