The Algorithms of Creativity

My nephew, Luke, is obsessed with Rubik’s cubes and every time we get together, he astounds me with his approach, which is far more structured than mine. When the Rubik’s cube came out in 1980, I was about the same age as Luke and also obsessed. I struggled to solve the puzzle the first time and when I did, I felt like a superhero. But the fanaticism comes afterwards when you wonder - now that I’ve done this once, can I do it again?

And how often in our businesses do we think about that question? Creativity (or as I like to call it, synthe-tivity) in not simply creating a singular work of art or a prototype - it's about the ability to understand how we got to the place of making it and to be able to do it again, and again, and again, even if the outputs are different. Creativity is a process governed by rules.

In my day of the Rubik's cube, we were each left to our own devices to figure out the puzzle, which was part of the entertainment. Tips and tricks to solving the puzzle travelled by word of mouth. I might share an insight I had with a local friend, or perhaps we’d travel to visit my older cousins and I’d get some expert advice.?

My how the world has changed....

Luke was determined on my latest visit to explain to me how to solve a 2x2 pocket cube, in a simple series of moves that if executed in precisely the right order can move from any state to a solution in less than 60 seconds. And what I loved about Luke’s teaching methods was his terminology. He said he wanted to teach me the algorithms for solving the cube.

So, I listened and he taught:

Up, Over, Down, Over

Up, Over, Down, Over

Up, Over, Down, Over

Up, Over, Down, Over

As he spoke the words his tiny hands held the cube and moved in a rhythm that was so fast, I could barely tell that his hands were working.

That was one algorithm. He asked me to now try myself, with my much larger, clumsier hands. I managed to follow the sequence of steps awkwardly, making a few sequencing error along the way, which Luke caught and corrected on the spot. He offered me advice on how better to position my hands to be able to manipulate the little cube with ease and then he began timing me to see how fast I could perform the operation. My time was at least four times slower than his, but I was hopeful that with practice, I could become proficient. Luke was not so convinced, but he was patient with me :)

I asked Luke how he learned all of this, to which he responded unsurprisingly, “YouTube,” citing name and the time of the world record holder: Wang Guanbo at 0.47 seconds on November 22, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia.

Algorithms

I was familiar with algorithms in math and computer science, a term that refers to a step-by-step procedure to be followed to solve a specific problem, but I had never heard the term used outside of that context. We don’t typically refer to the rules of every day life as algorithms, but the way Luke used it to describe the steps to take to solve a Rubik's cube, it got me thinking...

Perhaps algorithms are the invisible framework for solving not only predictable human problems, but creative ones as well.

At their core, algorithms - be they recipes, improvisations, negotiations, prohibitions, or chances - are all step-by-step strategies designed to solve problems or accomplish goals. However, the approach they take varies greatly. Recipes are procedural and deterministic, following a set sequence of steps to guarantee an outcome, much like a cooking recipe. Improvisations, on the other hand, are dynamic and adaptable, changing their behavior based on the situation at hand. Negotiations involve interactions with other entities and consider their potential actions when deciding what to do. Prohibitions work within certain constraints or rules, finding solutions that satisfy these limitations. Lastly, chances incorporate elements of randomness or uncertainty, using probabilistic techniques to make decisions or predictions. Despite their differences, all these algorithmic structures share a common aim: to navigate complexity and find solutions in an efficient, reliable manner.

The Constants and Variables

The terrain of algorithmic structures – the methodical beat of recipes, the jazz-like improvisations, the chess game of negotiations, the solid fences of prohibitions, and the roulette spin of chances – links our shared human stories to the unfolding saga of artificial intelligence. Each one of these structures provides us with a lens to appreciate the rhythm and logic that govern both our day-to-day lives and the operations of complex AI systems.

In algorithmic speak, the constants are those unwavering rules that dictate the game, the immutable instructions that guide actions and behaviors. Yet, as you well know, life is anything but static. It's an ever-changing symphony of variables, of unique, unrepeatable moments.

I gave a talk at a breakfast recently and made the point that we may need to come to terms with the fact that creativity is not our human superpower. If we can understand the rules behind it, we can code it, which is exactly what generative AI systems do.

A silent aura of sadness came over the room, through which a lone voice spoke, "But if creativity is not our superpower, what is?"

I stared into the silence and shrugged...

But a few days later, it started to hit me. Perhaps the human element, the one that has befuddled religious scholars, philosophers, and lawmakers alike is that unpredictable variable: free will. Imagine tossing a wildcard into our well-ordered game, the element of free will, the reality that some players will follow the rules and others will choose to break them....now that's what makes the game interesting. Perhaps our superpower is, we get to choose.

Luke taught me about how algorithms dictate the structure of how we solve problems, from solving Rubik’s cube to baking cookies, to navigating the stock market. There are laws, both seen and unseen, that govern many of our creative processes.?

Luke’s execution of his algorithms is unique to him - the speed of his tiny hands, the sequence he chooses to tackle, his patience in teaching me. This is the human element, this variability that turns his algorithmic execution into as much of an art as a science, making his and his alone.

Luke, at the ripe age of 9, has found his creative climate in the most unlikely of places, a game that yields the same outcome every time and yet provides the opportunity for invention at every turn. And I, in my enjoyment of the journey, am perfectly happy to discover the algorithms on my own, taking my time, making mistakes and arriving at the solution at my own pace, learning tips and tricks along the way from trusted advisors.

You see, even with the same rules, we respond to them very differently and that human element turns up the heat in any algorithmic system to a creative simmer.?

I'm Lori Mazor and I teach AI with a human touch: empowering intelligent business. If you're interested in bringing Generative AI training to your employees, check out my?website?for course offerings or DM me on LinkedIn for more information.

Our next Generative AI Summer Bootcamp for corporate executives begins on August 3. Check out our program, syllabus, and register here.