AI is threatening creativity, but that's because we're giving too much control to the machine to think on our behalf.

In this episode, Dr. Maya Ackerman — AI-creativity researcher, professor, and author of Creative Machines: AI, Art & Us — explains why the danger isn’t AI itself, but the way we’re designing AI products. She breaks down how today’s tools are unintentionally flattening originality, how “Oracle-mode” models limit imagination, and why we must shift toward building systems that expand human creativity rather than automate it away.

For designers, product managers, and builders, this conversation is a blueprint for developing AI tools that inspire exploration, push users beyond predictable patterns, and create space for genuine ingenuity. If you design tools for creative work, this episode reframes what it means to build technology that actually elevates the human mind rather than quietly replacing it.

➤ Why most AI products suppress creativity
How over-alignment and “correctness” kill imaginative output, and what to do instead.

➤ How hallucinations can fuel originality
Why they’re not failures, but essential sparks for new creative directions.

➤ How AI is reshaping cultural expectations of music, art, and design
And what this means for teams building creative platforms today.

➤ How to design “Humble Creative Machines”
AI that enhances a creator’s skill and taste instead of taking over the process.

➤ How to build incentives that reward curiosity and exploration

02:50 The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Creativity03:26 Historical Perspective on AI and Creativity04:39 The Importance of Novelty and Value in AI Creativity05:52 AI's Potential Beyond Current Applications07:32 Hallucinations: Feature or Bug?08:51 Ethical Considerations in AI Creativity11:13 Humble AI: Elevating Human Creativity24:18 The Role of AI in Creativity25:49 Integrating AI into Creative Workflows26:47 AI as a Creative Assistant27:31 AI in Coding vs. Creative Fields29:51 Incentives in the Creative Domain31:43 Balancing Technology and Humanity39:33 The Future of Education with AI43:37 Practical Tips for Adapting to AI44:04 Collective and Individual Actions for the AI Era45:44 Final Thoughts and Book Promotion

Shifting product strategy away from speed and efficiency toward human ingenuity.

• Creative Machines: AI, Art & Us — Dr. Ackerman’s book
  https://maya-ackerman.com/creative-machines-book

• LyricStudio — AI-powered lyric writing
  https://lyricstudio.net

• “Humble Creative Machines: Creating AI to Elevate You”
  https://www.theaioptimist.com/p/humble-creative-machines-creating

This is Episode 47 of the Design of AI Podcast.

If you found this conversation valuable, please rate and share the show — your support shapes what we explore next.

For more AI strategy, creative research, and product insight, subscribe to https://designofai.substack.com.

Hosted by Arpy Dragffy Guerrero https://www.linkedin.com/in/adragffy/
Brought to you by PH1, a strategy consultancy specializing in prototyping the future of your products and business.https://ph1.ca

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