The symposium titled “Creative Agency in the Age of AI” took place on March 6. Hosted by Northwestern University’s Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design (HCI+D)—a joint initiative between Northwestern Engineering and the School of Communication—the event gathered researchers, designers, and artists to explore how generative AI is transforming the concept of creativity.
Participants at the symposium, including faculty, students, and industry professionals from the arts, engaged in interdisciplinary discussions about human-AI collaboration. They addressed critical issues such as the changing roles within creative teams due to AI, how interface design can better reflect human intent, and what knowledge creators need to maintain control over their creative processes.
“Whether we are scientists, humanists, or artists, creativity lies at the core of excellence,” stated Liz Gerber, co-director of HCI+D and a professor of mechanical engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering as well as communication studies in the School of Communication. “The symposium united distinguished scholars from Northwestern to address a pivotal question across all disciplines: what role does human agency play in an era dominated by artificial intelligence?”
Duri Long, an assistant professor of communication studies and, by courtesy, computer science at Northwestern University, opened the event, welcoming attendees.
“As AI tools increasingly influence creative work, it is essential to understand their impact on human creative agency and to envision a future where this agency thrives,” Long noted. “It is crucial to focus on the design and integration of AI tools into creative teams and workflows to ensure we support human agency.”
Long co-organized the symposium with Karan Ahuja, the Lisa Wissner-Slivka and Benjamin Slivka Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the McCormick School of Engineering; and Noshir Contractor, Jane S. and William J. White Professor of Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern Engineering and the School of Communication, as well as a professor of management and organizations at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
The symposium commenced with a demonstration of AI applications and workflows, followed by a networking luncheon and three engaging panel discussions.
During the demo, Ahuja and Chenfeng (Jesse) Gao, a PhD candidate in Northwestern’s Technology and Social Behavior program, showcased a system that employs generative AI to assist users in transforming text descriptions into fabricable artifacts. This innovative system effectively connects digital design with physical production by converting creative intent into fabrication-ready outputs, allowing users to concentrate on aesthetic and compositional choices rather than technical specifics.
Additionally, Ethan Manilow (PhD ’22, MS ’17), a senior research scientist at Google DeepMind, illustrated the company’s Lyria and Magenta music generation models. Using text or image prompts, he demonstrated how users can create high-fidelity audio tracks. Manilow earned his PhD in computer science and communication from Northwestern’s Technology and Social Behavior program, where he was advised by HCI+D co-director Bryan Pardo, a professor of computer science at Northwestern Engineering and head of the Interactive Audio Lab.
“The demos highlighted cutting-edge tools and artistic creations that utilize AI to foster rather than hinder human creativity,” said Long. “These exciting, interactive projects grounded our panel discussions with concrete examples and artifacts.”
Automation vs. Agency for AI Creativity Tools
In the first panel, moderated by Ahuja, participants included Manilow; associate professor of radio, television, and film Ozge Samanci; Lydia Chilton (Columbia University); and Max Kreminski (Cornell Tech). They discussed the delicate balance between human agency and AI automation in creative fields such as filmmaking, music, and storytelling. The conversation revolved around the concept of “suffering” through a medium to develop taste and mastery, as well as whether AI will result in artistic homogenization or offer new avenues for individual expression.
AI & Agency in Creative Teamwork
In the second panel session, Contractor facilitated a discussion featuring Ignacio Fernandez Cruz, assistant professor of communication studies; Jeffrey Treem, Theodore R. and Annie Laurie Sills Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern’s Medill School; Brian Bailey (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign); and Joy Kim (Adobe). They examined the changing dynamic of AI in creative teamwork and its effects on human agency, credit attribution, and team interactions. The panelists underscored the potential benefits of AI in improving coordination and decision-making, alongside the risks of social isolation and reputational concerns that may lead users to hide their AI collaboration.
Agency and Cognition in Human-AI Processes
In the final session, Long was joined by panelists Michael Horn, professor of computer science at Northwestern Engineering, Steven Dow (University of California San Diego), and John Zimmerman (Carnegie Mellon University). Together, they explored the intricate relationship between human agency, cognitive processes, and artificial intelligence within creative workflows. Discussions revolved around how AI can empower or limit creators, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a sense of control, the role of AI in supporting both experts and novices, and the shifting nature of ownership and responsibility in the age of generative tools.
The event culminated in a collaborative activity where participants broke into small groups to engage in speed-writing exercises, crafting mini-research proposals on topics related to AI and creative agency.
“In the afternoon, we generated ideas about the future of AI in relation to creative agency, speed-writing proposals on topics such as leveraging AI to promote teamwork, examining the influence of expertise on AI reliance, and designing AI agents that challenge individuals to step beyond their creative comfort zones,” Long reflected. “We hope this symposium lays the groundwork for future interdisciplinary research collaborations leading to a future where AI enhances human creative agency, rather than undermining it.”
