The Impact of AI Image Generation on Student Creativity

Abstract

The application of AI-generated image technology in the educational field is reshaping traditional artistic creation and teaching models. AI tools represented by MidJourney and DALL·E provide students with unprecedented creative possibilities through their powerful image generation capabilities. These technologies have not only transformed the fundamental processes of artistic creation but also exerted profound impacts on cultivating students’ creativity. On one hand, AI tools can lower the threshold for creation, helping learners quickly visualize their ideas and stimulate creative inspiration; on the other hand, their potential negative effects cannot be overlooked, including the possible weakening of students’ original thinking, reduction in manual skill training, and ethical reflections on the essence of artistic creation. From interdisciplinary perspectives integrating cognitive psychology, pedagogy, and philosophy of art, this paper systematically analyzes the dual impact of AI-generated image technology on students’ creativity, explores its reasonable application paths in educational practice, and proposes an evaluation framework of “technology empowerment rather than replacement”, aiming to provide theoretical foundations and practical guidance for fostering creativity in the era of artificial intelligence.