AI vs. Effort, with Michael Inzlicht
The psychology professor on how AI adoption is driven by both laziness and ambition
Creativity has always been a through line in my life and career. For my specialized honours thesis in university, I studied the psychology of creativity—how and why artists are compelled to create.
What I found is that creatives are problem-solvers. They seek conflict that they can process and address, using their creativity as a tool for resolution. Over time, they begin to embody and repeat the way they solve these problems—whether by mastering a specific medium or honing a distinctive style. Their method of problem-solving becomes their identity, something they craft and refine throughout their careers. To grow, a creative will seek new challenges—reinforcing and evolving their unique way of confronting conflict.
For example, James Baldwin confronted racial injustice through his book The Fire Next Time; Pablo Picasso conveyed the horrors of the Spanish Civil War with his painting Guerinica; Nan Goldin shed light on addiction and the AIDS crisis through her photography; Frida Kahlo transformed her physical pain into surreal self-portraits. The list goes on.
As you can see, external and internal conflicts intertwine, as creators absorb the world’s pain, and in turn, externalize their own. Sometimes, creatives work together—forming collectives to address a shared struggle, or because their artistic approaches align.
Today, AI poses an existential challenge for creatives—a pivotal moment for our survival. What makes this conflict especially complex is that it directly affects the very tools and processes we rely on to address challenges. A parallel would be Picasso having to paint about why there is a shortage of paint. Which he did—during his Blue Period—because his limited resources influenced his creative choices.
My guest today on THE GRAIN Podcast is Michael Inzlicht, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and the Rotman School of Management. Work and Play Lab is where he studies human motivation, empathy, and the effort we exert to reach our goals—whether in work or leisure. His recent report, published in January, found that AI chatbots like ChatGPT are often perceived as more compassionate than human crisis responders and therapists.
Lately, creatives are being encouraged to use AI as a companion and collaborator early in the ideation process. I ask Michael what that means for brainstorming, bias, and creative fulfillment. If AI makes problem-solving easier, does that make the process less meaningful—because less effort was exerted?
As instinctive problem-solvers, creatives have the power to confront this challenge in their own unique way. But we need to talk about how and why we are compelled to confront this crisis.
Please enjoy my conversation with Michael Inzlicht, on THE GRAIN Podcast.