Unlike traditional AI systems that learn from existing datasets, generative models have the ability to generate novel information on their own. This opens up a range of possibilities in the creative field, where innovation thrives on the ability to think beyond pre-existing limitations.
Hmm. A tricky little question. If I change it to "How does generative AI impact human imagination?" I would say AI might promote imagination by providing immediate gratification in terms of completing projects quickly. Although imagination and creativity are technically synonymous, the root word "create" is generally considered a physical activity. There is an educational process involved in creating something. Without this learning process, "creativity" might be diminished significantly.
To me, training AI is like pottery, with GAi very much like clay. It needs labour to train it to a point where it is polished. Is that creativity? Does it involve human imagination? Yes it does!
Without a doubt, properly nuanced training of AI requires creativity and imagination. But the question asked was, does generative AI impact creativity, which I interpret as asking whether it enhances creativity, vitiates creativity, or neither. I take it as a given that generative AI can do both. But whether the effect will be systemic or widespread, it's too soon to tell. Politicians often seem to lack the imagination to foresee the possible consequences of the laws, policies, and procedures that they enact or implement. I think even just plain AI could help with that.