💡 Can AI Be Creative? Chess as Evidence of a Breakthrough in Thinking About Artificial Intelligence

For centuries, chess has been a symbol of human intellect and creativity. Winning at chess required not only mathematical precision but also imagination, foresight, and strategic thinking. It was, in a way, proof of the uniqueness of the human mind. However, the rise of artificial intelligence, particularly programs like AlphaZero, has turned this perspective upside down. Today, the question we must ask ourselves is: can AI be creative?

AlphaZero: Creativity Born from Isolation

AlphaZero, developed by DeepMind, progressed from “complete ignorance” to a master level of chess in just four hours. What’s most surprising, however, is how it achieved this—by playing only against itself, without access to human data or game patterns. The results? Moves that were not only effective but also remarkably creative. As noted by professional chess players, many of these moves went beyond human thought patterns—they were surprising, unconventional, and even revolutionary.

“For centuries, perfect mastery of chess was considered one of the pinnacle achievements of human intelligence. AlphaZero went from complete ignorance to creative mastery within four hours, without the guidance of any human mentor,” remarked Yuval Noah Harari.

This is a groundbreaking moment because it demonstrates that AI is capable of creating a new, original approach. If creativity means breaking patterns and finding innovative solutions, chess proves that AI can indeed be creative.

Is AI Taking Over the Realm of Creativity?

Until recently, creativity was considered one of the last “human” traits that AI could not replicate. However, technological advancements, both in chess and other fields, show that this boundary is blurring. Harari points out that creativity, long considered an exclusively human domain, is increasingly becoming the realm of artificial intelligence.

In areas such as art, music, and design, AI is not just replicating but also creating. Generative algorithms like DALL-E or MidJourney produce high-value artistic visuals, while tools like ChatGPT or Bard craft literary stories or scripts.

“If art is defined by human emotions, what happens when external algorithms can understand and influence human emotions better than Shakespeare, Frida Kahlo, or Beyoncé?” Harari asks.

The “Centaur” Model – Humans and AI as a Team

At this stage of technological development, many achievements come from collaboration between humans and AI. This model is often referred to as “centaurs”—a combination of human intuition and empathy with the speed and precision of artificial intelligence. For years after Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov, the best results in chess were achieved by human-computer teams.

However, this model is not without risks. As Harari noted: “For a few years after Deep Blue defeated Kasparov, human-computer collaboration in chess thrived. In recent years, however, computers have become so good at the game that their human collaborators have lost value, and soon they may become entirely irrelevant.”

Will the same scenario play out in other fields? As AI becomes increasingly autonomous in creative processes, will it gradually replace humans as creators?

Societal Implications of AI Creativity

If artificial intelligence takes over the realm of creativity, society will face a range of challenges. Here are just a few:

1. Redefining Creative Work: Will artists, designers, and writers still have a place in a world where AI can create faster, cheaper, and just as originally?
2. The Role of Emotion in Art: Will art created by AI hold the same value if it lacks human emotion?
3. The Role of Humans in an AI-Dominated World: What roles will remain for humans when creativity—one of the last traits defining us as a species—becomes a domain of machines?

Conclusion: If This Isn’t Creativity, Then What Is?

Chess, long considered the pinnacle of human intelligence, is now a symbol of AI’s dominance. AlphaZero has shown that creativity is not an exclusively human privilege—it is the result of the right conditions where AI can develop its abilities.

Should we feel threatened? Not necessarily. The challenge lies in learning to work with AI, not as a competitor but as a partner. AI creativity can be a force that enables us to achieve things previously unimaginable. The question is whether, as a society, we are ready to embrace this change.