The impact of AI on creativity in business conceptualization: Exploring social and psychological development in business education

This study critically examines the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping creativity within business conceptualization and education. It investigates the extent to which AI enhances or restricts originality, influences creative decision-making, and impacts the social and psychological dimensions of business students’ learning experiences. Employing qualitative thematic analysis tools, this research systematically deciphers how AI-driven tools reshape creative thought processes—whether by fostering efficiency and innovation or by inducing over-reliance and diminishing human originality. The study utilizes semi-structured interviews with 25 business students, offering deep insights into AI’s dual nature as both an enabler and a potential inhibitor of creativity. Findings reveal that while AI provides powerful analytical capabilities and accelerates ideation, it also risks standardizing creative outputs, reducing critical thinking, and eroding the uniqueness of business-driven innovation. The study underscores the urgent need for a strategic, human-centered integration of AI—where technology serves as a catalyst for creativity rather than a crutch that stifles independent thought. It calls for further research into AI’s adaptability within business education, the long-term implications of AI-assisted creativity, and the ethical challenges associated with its increasing dominance in business innovation.