AI for Creative Work
AI tools can be used for a wide range of creative work.
- Artwork of all kinds
- Image generation and manipulation
- Design and graphics
- Music and sound composition and editing
- Video generation, animation and editing
- Creating podcasts
- Game development and virtual/augmented reality
- Theatrical stage, lighting and costume design
- Playwriting and script development
- Choreography and dance design
- Advertising and marketing campaigns
- Writing and debugging computer code
Suggestions
- Embrace AI as a creative tool, not a replacement for your own artistic input.
- Explore specialized AI tools that generate images, videos and sound, using these tools to spark your own ideas.
- Use AI to explore different creative styles and remix content; experimenting may help you think outside the box and gain different perspectives.
- Use many different AI systems – compare outputs, combine ideas and blend concepts with your own creative vision.
Cautions
- Use AI output only as a catalyst for your own creative ideas.
- Clearly disclose the use of AI-generated content.
- Be on guard for stereotypes, biases or blandness in AI-generated materials.
- AI responses may be based on copyrighted materials, so compare the output to existing works and don’t use company logos, characters or styles.
- Keep track of the AI tools used, your prompts and any modifications you made to the outputs.
- Never use AI to create deepfakes or offensive content that could harm, mislead or exploit others.
Examples of Creative AI Tools That Generate Images, Videos and Music
Adapted from the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence (2025), developed by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center in partnership with American Association of Colleges and Universities. Used with permission under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.
Have a Question?
Take a look at frequently asked questions about AI at NIU and available resources.