Myth vs reality: “AI kills creativity”

Source: Dev.to

Myth vs Reality: “AI Kills Creativity”

The Myth

If I use AI, my ideas won’t be original.

This myth spreads because many people use AI in the most creativity‑killing way: they ask AI to generate the final output.

The Reality

AI doesn’t kill creativity.

If my input is lazy, the output becomes generic. AI is not the artist; AI is the amplifier.

What actually kills creativity (and AI makes it worse)

1. Outsourcing thinking – When I let AI decide the angle, voice, point of view, or story, my work becomes bland. Not because AI is evil, but because I removed myself from the creation.
2. Copying without digestion – Some people use AI as a shortcut to publish without understanding. That creates quantity without depth. Depth is the source of creativity.
3. Fear of being wrong – Many people play safe (safe opinions, safe language, safe ideas). AI can generate safe content endlessly, but safe content doesn’t create impact.

How I use AI to increase creativity (not reduce it)

• Generate 10 angles so I can pick the boldest.
• Challenge my assumptions.
• Suggest metaphors and examples.
• Connect ideas across domains.
• Help me iterate faster.

AI becomes my brainstorming partner, not my identity.

The leadership lesson

Creativity in business is not “art.”
Creativity is problem‑solving:

• Finding new angles
• Designing better experiences
• Communicating with clarity
• Creating differentiated value

AI can increase this if I stay in the driver’s seat.

One‑line takeaway

AI won’t kill creativity; comfort will.

If I use AI to avoid effort, my creativity shrinks.
If I use AI to accelerate exploration, my creativity expands.