Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 13
Creativity Refined: Bypassing the Gatekeepers
of Appropriateness and Value
Alan Dorin and Kevin B. Korb
Abstract
This chapter introduces a new definition of creativity that is independent
of notions of value or appropriateness. These notions, we argue, have encumbered
previous definitions and confused the production of software-based creativity. Our
definition defines the creativity of a generative procedure by reference to its ability
to create artefacts that are improbable with respect to those generated using previous
methods. We discuss the implications of our new definition, in particular by explor-
ing its application to human endeavour and to biological processes including evolu-
tion. The chapter also outlines some objections to our definition that we believe may
arise, and we put our rebuttals to these. Finally, we summarise the practical imple-
mentation of our definition in the context of image generation software. We explore
its use to improve a computational process for generating creative images, and find
when we survey the software's users that it successfully meets human perceptions
of creativity.
13.1 Introduction
How can we write software that is autonomously creative? What could we mean by
autonomous creativity? Without an answer to the latter question, the former cannot
be answered satisfactorily. The majority of this chapter therefore concerns the lat-
ter question, although we briefly discuss the practical task of writing software also.
The usual approach seems to be quite different. Most of those engaged with the first
question simply set out to write autonomous creative software and conclude their
endeavours upon satisfying an intuitive judgement of success. Perhaps this is sup-
ported by exhibition offers and reviews, comments of peers or art prizes awarded by
jury. Perhaps the creativity of their work can be measured more objectively but less
