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Supporting Brainstorming with a Collaborative Platform or a Generative Artificial Intelligence Tool: An Exploratory Study

  • 1Research Center in Communication Psychology (PsiCom), Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy.
  • 2Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • 3Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Science, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Brescia, Italy.
  • 4IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
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June 11, 2025

Abstract

This study explores the potential of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) versus traditional whiteboards in supporting group brainstorming. Sixteen groups of five members each used Miro (a conventional whiteboard) and DALL-E (an image-based GAI tool), either online or offline, in a 2 × 2 experimental design (online vs. offline; Miro vs. DALL-E). Researchers measured participants' affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), emotions (Aesthetic Emotions Questionnaire), creative self-efficacy, technological readiness (Technology Readiness Survey), user experience (User Experience Questionnaire), flow (Flow State Scale-Short Version), and creativity (fluidity, elaboration, flexibility, and originality). Two independent raters evaluated the groups' ideas for each member. Results showed that DALL-E generated more positive affect, richer esthetic experiences, and higher attractiveness and novelty than Miro, particularly online. A significant interaction effect was found for "efficiency" (UX dimension) and "union action-consciousness" (flow dimension). Participants felt more creative and preferred working with DALL-E. Moreover, online sessions with DALL-E led to greater idea elaboration. These findings suggest that GAI tools such as DALL-E could reshape and enhance traditional group creativity methods, making them core assets in group collaboration, especially in online settings.

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