Creativity and artificial intelligence in design
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2026.22376Abstract
This article examines the evolving relationship between creativity and artificial intelligence in design by analysing how artificial intelligence tools influence creative work within designer-led processes across design domains. A semi-systematic literature review of 67 studies maps artificial intelligence contributions to idea generation, decision-making, and conceptual exploration across stages of the design process. Findings inform a functional taxonomy grouping tools by creative support roles, stimulus generation, optimisation, evaluation, and hybrid workflow support, prioritising situated use over technological typologies. Recurring challenges include dependence on automated outputs, interface-driven shifts in ideation strategies and reduced diversity of exploration. The taxonomy enables assessment of how artificial intelligence contributes to ideation and refinement, informing research, education, and professional practice concerned with exploratory breadth, diversity, and workflow efficiency.
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design process, ethical considerations in artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, human–artificial intelligence collaboration, non-generative artificial intelligenceHow to Cite
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Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
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Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
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