In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Janet Rafner, a distinguished expert in human-AI interaction and creativity, joins hosts Drs. Matthew Worwood and Cyndi Burnett to delve into the world of computational creativity and human-AI co-creativity. Rafner illuminates the distinction between the two, emphasizing that while computational creativity pertains to algorithms creating independently, human-AI co-creativity celebrates the synergistic partnership between human intellect and algorithmic suggestions in the creative process. Together, they explore the role of generative AI in creative writing, discussing its use in enhancing writing styles, content development, and character creation, as well as its potential to spur imagination through multimodal suggestions like sound bites and images. They stress the importance of educators and students selecting tools that bolster creativity, addressing the critical ethical considerations regarding data privacy, the ethics of AI training, and the ownership of creative output.

The conversation takes a practical turn as Dr. Rafner and the hosts tackle the implications of generative AI usage in education. They advocate for incorporating discussions on the appropriateness of AI tools in different creative phases and emphasize the importance of documenting the AI interaction process for fostering critical analysis and transparency among students. Addressing administrative concerns, they consider the necessity of training in effective AI tool usage and offer insights into the challenges posed by plagiarism detection in AI-assisted work. Moreover, Rafner projects a future job market where AI doesn't replace, but augments, human roles, citing the need for upskilling to adapt to AI integration in fields like radiology and education. 

Dr. Janet Rafner:

Dr. Janet Rafner is the Junior Center Director at the Center for Hybrid Intelligence, Department of Management, Aarhus University, and a fellow at the Aarhus Institute for Advanced Studies co-funded by SHAPE, the center for shaping digital citizenship. She is known for her interdisciplinary research in human-AI interaction and creativity. Her publications span citizen science, psychometric creativity assessment, hybrid intelligence, game based assessment, and computational co-creativity. Dr. Rafner has received prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Sonophillia Foundation Research Award, a Fulbright Fellowship, and a Salzburg Global Fellowship.

Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?