As generative AI tools become common in schools and creative industries, new research raises concerns about their impact on learning and equity. A recent study by James Kaufman, professor at the University of Connecticut, found that AI amplifies existing differences in skill rather than closing the creativity gap. In storytelling tasks, participants who were more creative without AI continued to outperform others even with AI support.

The research suggests AI acts more like a creative assistant than an equaliser. It can generate ideas but lacks the human judgment needed to evaluate or refine them, a key part of genuine creativity.