Creative Minds and Alien Machines: What AI Can Do

16 January 2026

Creative Minds and Alien Machines: What AI Can Do — and What Only Humans Can
15th episode of the podcast series 'Applied Psychology in Daily Life' by Dr. Josef Sawetz

Creativity today is often discussed in relation to artificial intelligence. Can machines think, create, or even replace human insight? The new podcast with additional video and article by Dr. Josef Sawetz takes a calm and analytical view on this question.

The podcast builds on the concepts of Transformational Creativity and Alien Intelligence. Transformational creativity means breaking existing rules to create something truly new. In psychology and neuroscience, this is linked to the human "Aha!" moment — a sudden insight that can be measured in the brain and is emotionally rewarding. AI systems do not experience such moments. They optimise data and reduce errors, but they do not feel curiosity or the desire to break rules.

At the same time, AI should not be judged by human standards. As described in the idea of Alien Intelligence, AI is neither a worse nor a better brain. It works differently. It optimises instead of understanding, simulates instead of feeling. From a psychological point of view, this difference matters. It explains why AI is a powerful tool for efficiency, but not a rival to human meaning, empathy, or deep creativity.

Creativity in the Age of Tools

What does it mean to be creative today? Using calculators, computers, or automated tools for calculations has long been normal. Using AI follows the same logic. These tools support human work instead of replacing it. Creativity does not disappear when tools are used — it can grow, because routine tasks take less time and mental energy.

Topics Discussed in the Podcast

The podcast gives psychological insights into several key areas:

• Differences between human thinking and AI systems
• Creativity, insight, and the limits of machine optimisation
• Energy, efficiency, and learning processes
• Empathy, simulation, and emotional experience

The related article and slides by Josef Sawetz can be read as PDF file. The video is embedded on this page. The podcast is spoken by two AI-generated voices, which reflects its theme in a clear and experimental way.