In their “Extended Mind Thesis” Andy Clark and David Chalmers suggested that the mind is not solely confined to the brain or body but can extend beyond the body and into the external environment, including tools and technologies that we interact with. As an example, they cite the case of Otto, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and records new information he learns in a notebook. This notebook acts as an extension of his biological memory, allowing him to supplement his fading internal cognitive abilities with external resources. Clark and Chalmers argue that this external memory is no different, in principle, from biological memory. This idea can be extended to other tools, such as calculators, computers, smartphones or the internet, ultimately leading to transhumanistic ideas of technologically augmenting the human body itself.
          In 2019, Alice C. Helliwell took up the original idea of Clark and Chalmers, applied it to artificial intelligence and argued that the extension of the human mind through AI does not contradict the original theory (Helliwell, 2019). Now, as AI begins to serve as a powerful avenue to extend the creative capacity of human designers, it is essential to consider whether it merely functions as a tool (Botha, 2019; Xiao 2024), or if it could indeed represent an extension of the human mind, embodying what we might term Extended Creativity. In 2017 Jonathan Hook and Sebastian Detering proposed the term of Mixed-Initiative Creative Interfaces (MICI) (Deterding et al. 2017) as part of a Workshop in the context of game design but since extended their research to other creative domains (Library of Mixed-Initiative Creative Interfaces). MICIs “[…] put human and computer in a tight interactive loop where each suggests, produces, evaluates, modifies, and selects creative outputs in response to the other.” This results in a process that can be described as Mixed-Initiative Co-Creativity (Liapis et al., 2016): a symbiotic—though arguably not concious on both sides—relationship between humans and computer systems in which humans benefit from the availability of vast cognitive capabilities and the AI by being able to learn and improve. In a more recent article Wu et al. conclude that “[…] focusing on the collaboration with AI will benefit us far more than dwelling on the competing against AI” (Wu et al., 2021). Human-AI Co-Creativity embodies the collaborative partnership between humans and AI in the design process by using AI to assist designers in generating ideas, analyzing data, facilitating decision-making, and tailoring content. This collaboration not only enhances creative output but also democratizes creativity, making it “[…] more accessible and more inclusive than ever.” (Wu et al., 2021)

What do you think about this revision: Human-AI Co-Creativity can be seen as a perspective to holistically integrate the technology into today's processes, creating powerful synergies. For example, AI can aid research, the creation of briefings, customer personas, as well as help with design conception by rapidly generating countless iterations. However, to fully leverage the potential of AI, designers must actively seek out opportunities to tailor these tools to their specific needs and workflows, rather than simply relying on AI products offered by companies thus potentially limiting their scope. By doing so, designers can create customized AI solutions that augment their unique strengths and working styles, unlocking new levels of creativity and productivity.

Beyond technological advancements, it's necessary to address ethical and legal considerations surrounding AI in design. As AI influences decision-making processes and generates content, issues of bias, privacy, and accountability, plagiarism come to the forefront. Designers must advocate for responsible AI usage, championing transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. It is however vital to keep in mind that the ongoing transformation does not only affect the design discipline and needs a much broader discourse, involving policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and the general public to ensure that the development and deployment of AI aligns with societal values and promotes a more equitable and sustainable future.
         Regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act (2024) set a comprehensive framework for the development and deployment of trustworthy AI in Europe. The Act aims to address the risks associated with AI, including bias, privacy, and accountability. By providing clear requirements and obligations for AI developers and deployers, the Act seeks to ensure that AI systems respect fundamental rights, safety, and ethical principles. The Act's risk-based approach categorizes AI systems into four levels of risk, with stricter obligations for high-risk applications, such as those used in critical infrastructures, education, and law enforcement.
         Furthermore ethical guidelines like the “Manifesto for Collaboration” proposed by Vinchon et al. (2023) and modeled after Isaac Asimov’s “Three Laws of Robotics” (1950) need to be discussed, ensuring alignment of AI with societal values and ethical principles. In their manifesto, they propose four laws that cover plagiarism, harmful content, human-AI collaboration, and transparency in AI-generated content, thereby promoting responsible AI development and use.

The proposed concept of “Extended Creativity” within the framework of the Extended Mind Thesis (Clark & Chalmers 1998) offers a compelling perspective on the integration of AI in design, emphasizing the importance of keeping the human at the center of the creative process. By viewing AI as an extension of human creativity, rather than a replacement, we preserve the essential role of human agency and ingenuity in design.
          AI serves as a powerful tool to augment human cognitive abilities, allowing the exploration of new avenues of creativity and problem-solving. However, it is crucial to recognize that AI today operates within the parameters set by humans, reflecting their intentions, values, and creative vision. In this way, AI becomes a collaborator and enabler, rather than a substitute for human creativity.
          The symbiotic relationship between humans and AI, exemplified by concepts such as Mixed- Initiative Creative Interfaces (MICI) (Deterding et al., 2017) and Human-AI Co-Creativity (Liapis et al., 2016), underscores the idea that creativity emerges from the dynamic interaction between human intuition, expertise, and AI-driven insights. Designers can leverage AI to amplify their creative potential, while AI benefits from human guidance and contextual understanding.
          Furthermore, by embracing AI as Extended Creativity, designers reaffirm their central role in shaping the design process and outcomes. Human skills such as empathy, intuition, and cultural sensitivity remainin dispensable, guiding the interpretation of AI-generated insights and ensuring that designs resonate with human needs and values.

In conclusion, the concept of Extended Creativity offers a human-centered approach to integrating AI in design, emphasizing the collaborative partnership between humans and technology. By acknowledging AI as an expansion of human creativity, designers can harness its potential to expand their creative horizons while maintaining control over the design process. This perspective reinforces the importance of human agency, intuition, and ethical responsibility in navigating the evolving landscape of AI in design. As we continue to explore the possibilities of AI-enabled creativity, it is essential to remain mindful of the unique contributions that humans bring to the design process and strive towards creating inclusive, meaningful, and ethically responsible designs that enrich the human experience.