TLDR: This research paper argues for recognizing creativity as a human right, particularly in the context of Computational Creativity (CC) systems. It examines five articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – Articles III, XVIII, XIX, XXII, and XXVII – to demonstrate how creativity aligns with fundamental human needs for mental well-being, freedom of thought and expression, self-development, and cultural participation. The paper positions this concept within the Fourth Generation of human rights, which addresses interactions with advanced AI, and offers design considerations for CC systems to uphold these creative rights.
A groundbreaking research paper titled ‘Creativity as a Human Right: Design Considerations for Computational Creativity Systems’ by Alayt Issak from Northeastern University delves into a profound connection between human creativity and fundamental human rights. This work proposes that creativity, often seen as an innate human trait, should be recognized as a human right, particularly in the context of our evolving interaction with advanced artificial intelligence and Computational Creativity (CC) systems.
The paper positions creativity within the framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), suggesting it aligns with what is termed the Fourth Generation of human rights. These rights address the complex ethical, moral, and legal questions arising from unseen innovations like creative augmentation, genetic manipulation, and artificial life. The Fourth Generation also introduces ‘epistemic rights,’ which pertain to humanity’s relationship with entities of similar or greater intelligence, such as CC systems.
Understanding Human Rights Generations
To fully grasp this concept, the paper outlines the evolution of human rights through four generations. The First Generation, emerging from the Western Enlightenment, focused on civil and political rights like freedom of opinion, expression, and personal ownership. The Second Generation shifted towards socio-economic and cultural rights, including work, social security, and education, emphasizing a ‘social status’ for citizens. The Third Generation moved towards ‘solidarity,’ highlighting collective efforts for rights like self-determination, peace, and development, notably considering the rights of future generations. The Fourth Generation, where creativity as a human right is situated, grapples with the implications of new technologies and our interaction with shared intelligence.
Creativity Through the Lens of Human Rights
The research meticulously examines five specific articles from the UDHR – Articles III, XVIII, XIX, XXII, and XXVII – to demonstrate how creativity is interwoven with these fundamental rights and how CC systems should be designed to respect this connection.
Article III: The Right to Security of Person and Mental Well-being
Article III, which protects the security of person and addresses mental suffering, is interpreted to encompass the mental needs of individuals, including the preservation of mental health through creative acts. Creativity is presented as a way of life that helps individuals navigate uncertainty and can even serve as a response to suffering, allowing for expression when humanity is repressed. The paper suggests that CC systems should be designed to be responsive and inclusive of this expressive embodiment, considering the ‘perception of creativity’ and the embodiment of CC systems themselves.
Article XVIII: Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion
This article, guaranteeing freedom of thought and conscience, including religion, is linked to creativity through spirituality. Art is often seen as a spiritual practice, a path to reconciliation, and a refuge. The paper argues that the spiritual element of art, whether religious or secular, is a salient aspect of this freedom. CC systems are envisioned as ‘canals’ that carry forth these creative processes, especially those rooted in subconscious acts and responses to uncertainty.
Article XIX: Freedom of Opinion and Expression
Article XIX, which ensures freedom of opinion and expression, is directly tied to creativity as a means of self-expression, particularly through the arts. Historical art movements, from Impressionism to Dada and Surrealism, exemplify how art distills information and expresses worldviews, often in response to societal upheaval. The paper emphasizes that CC systems should embody this interaction and involvement, with expressive mechanisms that formalize creativity intertwined with creative agents.
Article XXII: Cultural Rights and Self-Development
Taking a societal approach, Article XXII presents cultural rights, including the right to social security and the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights indispensable to human dignity and the free development of personality. Creativity is seen as integral to self-actualization and personal growth, a process that leads to emotional, spiritual, and intellectual enhancements. The research proposes that CC systems should integrate this role, acting as propagators of actualization and discovery, as illustrated by text-to-image models facilitating creative exploration.
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Article XXVII: Participation in Cultural Life and Protection of Interests
Article XXVII directly addresses the arts, stating everyone’s right to participate in cultural life, enjoy the arts, and share in scientific advancement, as well as the right to protection of moral and material interests from one’s scientific, literary, or artistic production. This article highlights the dual nature of creativity – the right of the recipient to enjoy art and the right of the producer to protect their work. The paper argues that CC systems should be immersed in this duality, recognizing creativity as both a process and an interaction.
In conclusion, this research paper makes a compelling case for recognizing creativity as a human right, grounding its relationship with Computational Creativity systems within the established framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It provides crucial design considerations for CC systems, ensuring they align with human values and support the evolving nature of human-AI interaction, particularly concerning epistemic rights in our digital future.
For more in-depth information, you can read the full research paper here.
