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[3F1-GS-10-04] Unveiling the Brain Mechanisms Underlying Divergent Thinking in Generative AI-Assisted Engineering Design
[[Online]]
Keywords:Creativity, Generative AI, Divergent Thinking, Product Design
Divergent thinking in engineering design involves brain regions supporting memory retrieval and imposing cognitive constraints. Use of generative AI for such thinking is becoming more widespread, yet underlying neural mechanisms during collaborative scenarios with AI remain poorly understood. This study investigated performance and neural correlates in participants who completed a creative thinking task individually or with AI assistance when proposing product concepts addressing a social problem. Thirty-six male students took part in this study, and EEG data were recorded to examine neural activity during tasks. Although performance of participants was improved with using GPT-4o, activation of the left inferior frontal gyrus under AI-assisted conditions suggested potential suppression of divergent thinking. These findings deepen our understanding of neural processes in AI-supported collaboration and may inform the development of novel engineering design support methods. Consequently, they highlight the importance of investigating individual differences in AI-mediated creative performance.
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