When you think of artificial intelligence, you probably think of its ability to automate tasks or generate quick answers to questions. But new research suggests that technology can help you improve your creativity by acting as a personal collaborator.
Creativity is essential for small business owners. But the fast-paced nature of running a business often gets in the way of brainstorming, or maybe you’re just in a creative rut. AI can be a tool that can help.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest study and how to embrace AI to unleash your creativity.
The benefits of using AI to support creativity
In the studypublished in the Association for Computing Machinery journal Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems in October 2025, more than 800 subjects participated in an online experiment in which they used an AI system to design virtual cars.
The AI-powered tools generated virtual design galleries featuring a range of potential car designs, including “high-performance examples, unusual ideas and some deliberately imperfect”, according to a Swansea university. press release.
When participants saw AI-generated design suggestions, they spent more time on the car design task, produced better designs, and felt more engaged, the study authors noted.
“It wasn’t just about efficiency. It was also about creativity and collaboration,” said Sean Walton, associate professor of computer science at Swansea University in Wales and lead author of the study. statement.
AI can analyze data points generated by your small business, such as sales trends or customer feedback, and quickly develop new ideas for new products to develop or new ways to attract customers.
How to harness AI for creativity
As a small business owner, here are three ways you can use AI to boost creativity:
Think of AI as a Collaborator
AI works best when used to generate ideas that you can use and build on. According to MITAI enhances the creativity of individuals as they integrate their own processes of thinking, planning, self-monitoring and revision. AI should not replace these human functions.
Use AI tools, like ChatGPT and others, to brainstorm slogans or marketing campaigns, come up with ideas for a specific prompt, predict industry trends, or answer the question “what is a unique angle?” » on a specific subject.
Breaking a creative crisis
Small business owners need to be agile and constantly innovate, which often means harnessing your creativity. But when you’re not feeling it, AI can help you get out of the doldrums.
If you have rough ideas for new services or initiatives, generative AI tools can help you refine them, depending on Harvard Business Review. You can ask him to come up with variations on a single idea that you may not have thought of. Or, when you need to write smart emails or social media posts, AI can take your basic points and create a draft. You will of course need to revise it to make sure it matches your own voice.
Embrace AI efficiency
Automation is a common use case for AI because it can analyze data and produce results quickly. This is also beneficial for creativity.
For example, AI can analyze data points generated by your small business, such as sales trends or customer feedback, and quickly develop new ideas for new products to develop or new ways to attract customers, depending on New York University. AI can also help small businesses write content effectively, such as blogs, marketing materials, or new product descriptions. But, again, be sure to proofread and edit everything you create to ensure it’s accurate, relevant to your business, and reflects your unique voice.
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