The Thinking Human - or When NOT to Use AI

Generative AI is capable of truly remarkable and transformative output – so it's tempting to turn to artificial intelligence (AI) for every aspect of our work. However, when it comes to unstructured brainstorming, I strongly advise against relying on AI. Here's why.

?

What is Unstructured Brainstorming?

Unstructured brainstorming is a creative problem-solving approach that encourages spontaneous and free-flowing idea generation without rigid rules or formats. Three popular techniques in unstructured brainstorming are free writing, word association, and taking a break.

Free writing involves continuous writing for a set period, typically 5-15 minutes, without pausing or censoring yourself. This stream-of-consciousness approach bypasses your internal critic, allowing for more uninhibited thoughts.

Word association starts with a single word related to the problem, then rapidly listing words that come to mind in response to the previous word, creating a chain of associated concepts. This technique often reveals unexpected connections and sparks novel ideas.

Taking a break, while seemingly passive, allows your mind to work on problems subconsciously. This "incubation" period can lead to sudden insights or "aha" moments when you return to the problem, as your brain continues to process information in the background, free from the constraints of focused, logical thinking.

?

The Pitfalls of Using AI for Unstructured Brainstorming

1. Stifling Human Creativity: Overreliance on AI to "think for us" can atrophy our own creative thinking skills. Creativity is like a muscle that needs regular exercise to stay strong and flexible. By outsourcing this process to AI, we risk weakening our ability to generate novel ideas and make unexpected connections.
2. Lack of Originality: AI systems are trained on existing data and patterns. While they excel at recombining known elements, they may fall short in generating genuinely original ideas. Human creativity, drawing from personal experiences, emotions, and intuitions, can make illogical leaps and challenge assumptions in ways current AI systems cannot match.
3. Missing Nuances: AI often fails to understand the subtleties of complex problems. Human understanding of context, cultural implications, emotional factors, and subtle interdependencies within a problem space is far superior. We can quickly discard irrelevant ideas or recognize promising directions based on a holistic understanding of the situation.
4. Loss of Cognitive Engagement: The process of brainstorming itself is valuable not just for the ideas generated, but for the cognitive engagement it fosters. When we brainstorm, we build upon ideas, challenge assumptions, and engage in dialogues that can lead to unexpected insights. This interactive and iterative process is difficult to replicate with AI alone.
5. False Sense of Thoroughness: Using AI in brainstorming may create an illusion that all possible avenues have been explored due to the large volume of generated ideas. This could lead to premature closure of the ideation phase, potentially missing out on human-generated ideas that often emerge after initial obvious solutions have been exhausted.

?

The Human Touch in Creativity

Human creativity can draw from a wealth of personal experiences, emotions, and intuitions that AI cannot replicate. Our unique ability to make illogical leaps, challenge assumptions, and think "outside the box" often leads to breakthrough ideas and revolutionary solutions.

?

Unstructured Brainstorming for Tech Transfer Professionals

For tech transfer professionals, unstructured brainstorming can be an invaluable tool in several scenarios. Even something as simple as taking a break can be crucial when dealing with complex licensing negotiations or patent applications. Stepping away from the problem can allow for fresh perspectives on fair licensing terms, or novel ways to describe an invention that strengthen its patentability. These unstructured techniques can help tech transfer professionals think beyond traditional boundaries, potentially leading to more innovative commercialization strategies and wider impact for the technologies they manage.

??

Striking a Balance

While AI can be a useful tool in certain aspects of problem-solving and idea generation, it should not replace human-led brainstorming processes. The most effective approach involves a balance - using human creativity and intuition as the primary drivers of brainstorming, with AI potentially serving as a supplementary tool to expand or challenge human-generated ideas.

?

Keep That Human in the Loop

By maintaining human leadership in the creative process, we ensure that we continue to cultivate and benefit from the unique cognitive abilities that drive innovation and problem-solving. In the realm of unstructured brainstorming, the human mind remains our most powerful tool, capable of insights and innovations that AI, in its current form, simply cannot match.

?

Upcoming AUTM AI Course – For Humans Only

I'm excited to share an opportunity that aligns perfectly with the themes we've discussed. I'll be one of the instructors for AUTM's new 4-week virtual course: "The Future of Tech Transfer: Leveraging AI to Find & Secure Licensing Deals, Research & Find Your Best Company Licensee."

This course is designed to help you harness the power of AI while preserving the critical human elements we've highlighted. Here's what you can expect:

• Learn to challenge your assumptions and recognize potential biases in AI-assisted processes
• Gain practical insights into creating an AI workflow that balances analytical power with critical thinking and human expertise
• Develop strategies to question AI outputs and make more informed decisions
• Understand how your own biases might influence your use of AI tools

By participating, you'll be equipped to leverage AI effectively while maintaining the human-centric approach that's crucial for innovation in tech transfer. You'll learn to use AI as a powerful tool to augment your unstructured brainstorming and decision-making processes, not replace them.

Course Details:

• Dates: October 15 to November 7
• Format: Virtual, allowing for flexible participation

This is a timely opportunity to upgrade your skills and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-assisted tech transfer. You'll be at the forefront of shaping a more reflective and effective future for our field, one that embraces AI's capabilities while preserving the irreplaceable human touch.

Don't miss out! Spaces are limited, and the price will increase soon. Secure your spot now and invest in your professional growth.

Save my spot now!

Remember, in the world of tech transfer and beyond, the most powerful innovations often come from the unique synergy between human creativity and technological tools. Let's embrace this future together, keeping the human firmly in the loop.