Everyone Must Explore the Skill of Creativity
Definition of Creativity Copyright Claim — Updated Version — October 2024 — by Greg Twemlow, Founder of XperientialAI
“Creativity is solving problems and expressing ideas by asking open questions that elicit thoughtful replies, using diverse tools, and drawing from human and machine inputs. The result inspires non-obvious, novel solutions and artistic works with emotional and ethical resonance.©”
Why Is a Definition of Creativity More Important Than Ever?
In the 21st century, the primary differentiator between humans and AI systems isn’t just knowledge or computation — it’s creativity.
But it’s reasonable to ask, why must creativity be nurtured from a young age and throughout our lives? The answer lies in our need to solve complex problems and our inherent desire for self-expression.
Creativity is how we build bridges between ideas, innovate solutions, and articulate our personal experiences. It’s how we take ownership of our lives and work toward reshaping the world around us.
However, despite the importance of creativity, many of us hesitate to embrace it fully. Subconscious reticence often acts as a brake on our creative potential. We hesitate to share our ideas, fearing judgment, criticism, or failure. This hesitation keeps us from fully expressing ourselves, whether we realise it or not. I’ve seen it repeatedly, whether in young graduates or seasoned professionals. That’s why I always remind people: Never be afraid to hang your art on the wall. This phrase is a powerful reminder that our creations, ideas, and work have value, and we should not let fear hold us back from sharing them with the world.
This phrase is more than a motto — it’s a call to action. Creativity isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being brave enough to share your thoughts, your work, and your perspective, even when there’s a chance it might be met with criticism. When we overcome our reticence and share what we’ve created, we unlock a new level of growth for ourselves and those around us.
The New Frontier: AI as the Tool that Democratises Creativity
As I reflect on the role of AI, it’s clear to me that AI is the most powerful tool we’ve ever had that can democratise creativity. We live in a world where access to AI can generally be viewed as ubiquitous. From tools like ChatGPT that can assist in generating creative writing to platforms like DALL-E that can help create unique visual art, AI’s innovative capabilities are at our fingertips, ready to assist in expressing ideas, generating art, and solving problems.
AI is the great equaliser. What used to be the domain of specialists — tasks like graphic design, video editing, or complex problem-solving — can now be done by anyone with an internet connection and a bit of curiosity. AI removes technical barriers and lowers the entry point, allowing creativity to flourish across all disciplines. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to create a logo or a musician looking for inspiration, AI provides the tools to unlock creative potential.
But here’s the catch: subconscious reticence can still hold us back despite AI’s democratising power. Even with these incredible tools at our disposal, many people hesitate to “hang their art on the wall.” They worry their ideas aren’t good enough or their creations will be criticised. Overcoming this reticence is not just a suggestion; it’s necessary to fully realise the benefits of AI as a creative partner. It’s a challenge we must all be determined to overcome.
This doesn’t mean AI replaces us as creators. On the contrary, it amplifies our abilities.
It helps us explore vast creative spaces we might never have considered. But at the core of it all, the spark — the more profound meaning, the emotional resonance — comes from us. AI might generate the building blocks, but we are the ones who curate, contextualise, and give life to what is produced, ensuring our unique contribution is always at the forefront.
Expanding the Definition of Creativity
Given this shift, we must expand our definition of creativity to reflect how we now work with AI. Creativity isn’t just about coming up with something new; it’s about collaboration, empathy, and context.
These are things AI cannot fully replicate.
Here’s how I see creativity in this new age:
- Imagination: The ability to see possibilities beyond what exists. While AI can generate imaginative outputs, humans provide the context and the deeper “why” behind the imagination.
- Originality: The ability to create something genuinely new and unusual. AI can generate novel combinations, but originality, in the human sense, involves creating something that resonates with people on a personal, emotional, or cultural level.
- Collaboration: Creativity is no longer a solo pursuit. We now collaborate not just with people but also with machines. AI can offer suggestions and generate ideas, but it’s through collaboration that real innovation happens.
- Problem-Solving: AI is a fantastic tool for generating solutions, but empathy and ethics guide human problem-solving, ensuring the solutions we create are meaningful and socially responsible.
- Meaningful Impact: Ultimately, creativity should result in outcomes that matter. AI can help generate outputs, but we must decide what has value and purpose.
AI-Fueled Collaboration: Creativity for All
One of AI’s most exciting aspects of democratising creativity is how it enables large-scale collaboration. We’re seeing more open-source innovation, crowdsourcing of ideas, and shared creative platforms than ever before. AI helps us not only generate new ideas but also organise and refine contributions from people all over the world.
AI makes creativity accessible to everyone, not just those with advanced skills or resources. It’s helping break down barriers for marginalised communities, giving people from all walks of life the tools to express themselves and make an impact. In this way, AI isn’t removing creativity from us — it’s opening it up to more people than ever before.
But even with AI’s assistance, we still face the challenge of reticence. Many people hesitate to put their work out there, whether it’s a thought, a design, or a piece of art. This fear of judgment or failure keeps ideas trapped inside. That’s where the concept of “never be afraid to hang your art on the wall” becomes essential. It’s a reminder that what we create matters and that sharing it with the world is an integral part of the creative process.
Leveraging AI to Overcome Creative Reticence
AI can also play a critical role in helping us overcome reticence. By serving as a judgment-free collaborator, AI allows us to experiment, iterate, and refine our work in a safe space. It’s easier to push through that hesitation when you have a tool to help polish your ideas and suggest new directions. For instance, AI can provide feedback on a design or a piece of writing, helping to refine it before sharing it with a broader audience. AI takes some of the pressure off by offering support throughout the creative process, making sharing your work with the world less intimidating.
This is how AI becomes a partner in hanging your art on the wall. It doesn’t replace the need for bravery but helps lower the barriers that hold us back from fully expressing ourselves. AI can’t do the work for you, but it can assist in getting you over the finish line — making completing and sharing creative projects more accessible and rewarding.
The Power of Minimum Creativity Effort
Creativity doesn’t have to be a grand act. One of the most effective ways to overcome reticence and get your ideas out into the world is by adopting what I call the Minimum Creativity Effort. The idea is simple: rather than tackling a large project all at once, focus on taking the most minor possible step forward.
Here’s how it works:
- Identify the Smallest Step: Ask yourself, “What is the smallest action I can take to move this forward?” It might be writing a single sentence, sketching an idea, or recording a quick voice memo. The key is to make it so small that it feels easy and doable.
- Keep It Simple: The action should be so small that you can complete it without feeling overwhelmed. By reducing the effort, you reduce the friction that often stops creativity.
- Leverage Incubation: Once you take that small step, your subconscious mind will continue processing the open loop of your project. Even when you’re not actively working on it, your brain will make connections and generate ideas, helping move your project forward without requiring constant effort.
- Repeat Consistently: Creativity is not a sprint — it’s a marathon. You’ll gradually build momentum by repeating these small, simple sessions as often as possible. Over weeks or months, you’ll find that you’ve completed substantial creative projects without the stress of tackling everything at once.
This method can be beneficial when working with AI as your creative partner. AI tools help you with those small steps — generating text, offering design suggestions, or brainstorming ideas. When you feel stuck, the Minimum Creativity Effort can push you forward enough to maintain momentum.
Definition of Creativity by Greg Twemlow (Updated 2024)
Copyright © 2024:
“Creativity is solving problems and expressing ideas by asking open questions that elicit thoughtful replies, using diverse tools, and drawing from human and machine inputs. The result inspires non-obvious, novel solutions and artistic works with emotional and ethical resonance.©”
This updated definition reflects the evolving landscape we now live in. While AI can certainly mimic creative acts, the human ability to question, contextualise, and respond with purpose truly defines creativity.
As AI evolves, it will increasingly become a tool that democratises creativity. It levels the playing field, allowing more people than ever to engage in creative work, regardless of their technical background or resources. The challenge for us as humans is to embrace this partnership and use AI to amplify our creative potential while maintaining the uniquely human aspects of creativity — empathy, intent, and ethical purpose.
But we must also recognise the internal barriers — like subconscious reticence — that often prevent us from fully realising our creative potential. That’s why I encourage you to embrace the motto: Never be afraid to hang your art on the wall©. Creativity is more than just producing something new; it’s about having the courage to share it with the world.
Creativity remains the most powerful tool in today’s world, and with AI as our partner, we can unlock new possibilities. The world needs your perspective. Someone is waiting to see what you create and hear what you say.
Go on, hang your art on the wall.
About the author: Greg Twemlow, Founder of XperientialAI©.
Greg Twemlow: “Empowering future leaders and organizations by designing and delivering AI-integrated experiential learning programs that blend technology, ethics, and philosophy. Through consultancy, mentorship, innovation coaching, and thought leadership, I help CEOs, business leaders, and individuals ethically and efficiently implement AI solutions while fostering a culture of trust, integrity, and wisdom in an AI-driven world.” Contact Greg: greg@xperiential.ai
