Funded by The Australian Research Council (Discovery Project)

Funding Amount: $492,573

Project start date: 2025

Researchers

  • Prof Giles Hirst (CI), ANU 
  • Prof Gillian Yeo (CI), University of Western Australia
  • Prof Sharon Parker (CI), Curtin University
  • Prof Nicole Gillespie (CI), University of Melbourne

Project Description

This project aims to offer new knowledge about how workers can best partner with artificial intelligence (AI) to solve problems creatively. To date, we do not fully understand how to combine these diverse forms of capability. Through both laboratory studies and field research, we investigate how human psychological conditions of trust and motivation build collaborative capabilities underpinning creativity, and, in turn, how work design promotes dynamic collaboration. We then develop scientifically-based interventions that promote collaboration by building trust, motivation, and work design. This project offers a roadmap for how organizations can boost creativity by leveraging the strengths of both workers and AI in partnership.

National Interest Statement

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate creative work poses employment, quality and performance concerns and misses the benefits of workers and AI working together. When workers effectively collaborate with AI, this partnership, has potential to boost creativity while addressing the risks of automation. By examining how to design work systems and develop workers’ abilities to support human-AI collaboration, we will generate scientifically informed knowledge about how to leverage the strengths of both to augment creativity. We will offer research-led guidance to support workers as their needs and technology change. Working with industry partners, this knowledge will be tested in work settings to inform policy and practice in the public service and industry. Project findings will guide and inform future approaches to maximise the creative potential of Generative AI at work, leading to a more skilled workforce, which in turn promises to enhance their work experience and accelerate economic and social growth in Australia, and the broader community.