Brainstorming with AI
Use AI to spark, expand, and refine your ideas
During my time as a business student, I learned about something called the assembly bonus effect, a concept that essentially states that a team’s combined efforts surpass what the most creative individual could achieve alone (or the sum of all individual outputs). It’s also most dramatically applies at the low end - two people are much more creative and effective than one, and three people are more creative than two (However, as group size increases, the effect diminishes, especially when approaching the “two pizza rule”).
I’ve certainly found this to be the case myself. I’ve started a few businesses in the past and it took a lot of creative output to get things going initially (market research, strategy, offerings, name, logo, website, content, etc.). Without one or two people acting as a sounding board and building off (or dismissing) my ideas, I could get stuck in analysis paralysis. Entrepreneurship can be lonely work, and I didn’t always have someone available (or awake at 2am) to riff with. While I could turn to online resources and media, it wasn’t the same as real-time feedback on my specific ideas.
You probably get where I’m going with this… AI is a truly powerful brainstorming partner, always available and full of ideas to share. It doesn’t replace human collaboration, but when used effectively, creative output as an individual with and without using AI is going to be dramatically different. It allows you to brainstorm like a small group would, challenging ideas and offering new perspectives. It can even generate mockups, drawings, even websites(!) in minutes – something that would take a small team hours or days to complete.
How AI can enhance your creative process
Let’s explore some key areas where AI can elevate your brainstorming sessions, with practical examples to illustrate its potential.
Idea Generation
LLMs can generate an extensive range of ideas based on a given prompt, providing a starting point for brainstorming sessions and sparking new avenues of thought. It will pump out as many ideas as you ask it for and will come up with hundreds or even thousands of ideas before repetition sets in. Of course, not all ideas are going to be bangers, but that’s where you come in – you’re the director and curator of the process.
Start by asking AI to generate ideas on a specific topic. Since it’s just you and AI, there’s no need to feel self-conscious—embrace even the wildest suggestions.
📝 Example Prompts:
"Give me 10 ideas for a new ice cream flavor."
"I'm writing a children's book. Provide 15 outlandish ideas for a magical creature, each with a short backstory."
"I want to disrupt the transportation industry. Generate 20 radical ideas for new modes of transportation, even if they seem impossible with current technology."
Once you have your initial list, refine your selections. Ask AI to expand on an idea, merge multiple topics, or specify next phase details (like implementation or drawing).
For instance, I asked AI to expand on an ice cream idea that caught my eye:
📝"Tell me more about why you combined flavors in ‘Black Sesame and Honeycomb’ flavor" and give me a recipe to make with the Ninja Creami.
GPT crafted a recipe to the device’s specifications perfectly (as a huge Creami fan, I would know…). It also had some interesting preparation ideas - like making sesame paste and honeycomb from scratch – that I wouldn’t have thought on my own.
Content Creation
LLMs can help create content by generating text, suggesting storylines, and providing inspiration for various creative formats. If you follow our prompt guide, you’ll be able to come up with great and relevant content in no time.
Let’s take one example. Imagine you're writing a blog post about the benefits of meditation. An LLM can provide relevant research findings, suggest different writing styles, and even generate outlines or sections of text to get you started.
📝 Example Prompts:
"Generate an outline for a blog post discussing the health benefits of daily meditation."
"Draft an introduction for a podcast episode exploring the impact of social media on mental health, linking meditation as a remedy."
"Construct a research paper outline analyzing meditation’s effects on mental health, incorporating differing expert opinions and linking them in the conclusion."
Overcoming Creative Blocks
Every writer knows the feeling of staring at a blank page from time to time. Sometimes the journey is the point, and if that’s the case, keep on staring. But when you just need to move forward your AI assistant can give you multiple starting points, offer alternative perspectives, and suggest unexpected solutions, helping you break through a mental barrier and explore ideas that you hadn’t thought of.
You could just start with something simple and relevant, such as:
📝 Example Prompt: I’m hosting a brunch for friends this weekend and I’d like to have some sort of theme throughout, both in the décor, and in the food and drinks served. I can’t think of anything good… can you give me some suggestions? Fun and not too complicated.
For something more involved, let’s imagine you're designing a new logo for your company but feel stuck in a rut. An LLM can analyze existing logos in your industry, identify current trends, and suggest unique design elements that you might not have considered. You might try something like starting with a straightforward prompt, then exploring different themes, and finally combining multiple concepts together into one image.
📝 Example Prompts:
"Describe minimalist logo ideas for a tech startup that symbolizes innovation."
"Help me create a logo for an eco-friendly brand using earthy tones and natural elements."
"Develop a dynamic logo for a sports apparel company that conveys energy and performance."
Note: this can be done in two parts. First ask it for help designing a logo (or whatever you’re working on) conceptually, going back and forth until you’re happy with the concept. Then you can request a mockup drawing based on your conversation. For GPT, also make sure search is turned off when you want it to draw.
Expanding on Existing Ideas
LLMs can help expand on existing ideas by providing additional information, suggesting variations, and exploring different angles. By analyzing current concepts and suggesting enhancements, they can assist in fleshing out ideas into comprehensive plans.
Probably the simplest way to utilize this is to upload or provide an idea that you have directly to it (as we covered in our last post) and ask for feedback. As it to expand on your ideas and approach and explore new ways of thinking about what you’re doing. Something like:
📝 Example Prompts:
"I have an idea I want to expand on. Help me explore new angles, uncover hidden opportunities, and refine it further: [insert idea or upload doc here]."
"I have a small balcony and want to create a cozy outdoor space. Can you suggest simple, affordable decorating ideas?"
"I’m planning a weekend getaway within a 200-mile radius of [your location]. Recommend three off-the-beaten-path destinations and suggest activities."
"I want to start a community garden in my neighborhood. Develop a step-by-step plan, including location selection, community engagement, and climate-appropriate plants."
Continue to ask it to refine and package the output just the way you want, until you have that perfect plan for your patio or neighborhood garden.
Providing Feedback
We all need a sounding board to challenge our assumptions and probe our thought process. AI will offer thoughtful critiques and alternative perspectives. If you specifically request critical feedback, AI can challenge assumptions, probe weaknesses, and help you refine your work before presenting it to others.
📝 Example Prompts:
"I’m redecorating my living room and feeling lost. Ask me questions to help clarify my vision."
"I’m writing a screenplay about astronauts discovering an alien civilization. Help me develop their personalities and motivations with thought-provoking questions."
"I’m creating a leadership training program. Challenge my assumptions and encourage me to consider different perspectives."
You can even assign AI a persona, such as a "Contrarian Bot" or "Devil’s Advocate," to push back against your ideas and strengthen your approach. Always be coachable!
Additional Strategies for AI-Assisted Brainstorming
Role-Playing: Assign AI different perspectives to gain diverse insights. 📝 Example Prompt: "Imagine you’re a sustainability expert. What features should an eco-friendly water bottle have to attract environmentally conscious consumers?"
Chain-of-Thought Prompting (COT): Guide AI through step-by-step reasoning for more structured responses. 📝 Example Prompt: "Help me plan a budget-friendly, week-long trip to Japan. Let’s break it down: first, cities to visit; next, affordable accommodations; then, transportation; finally, daily activities."
Brainstorming Within Constraints: Introduce limitations to spark creative solutions. 📝 Example Prompt: "Generate five marketing strategies for my AI blog with a budget under $500."
Final thoughts
AI is a fantastic tool for brainstorming, ideation, and problem-solving. Next time you’re ideating or stuck or getting a little overwhelmed with something that’s ahead of you, give it a try. It won’t replace human collaboration, but it can serve as an always-available, idea-generating partner. The key is to combine AI’s suggestions with your personal insights and filtering to create distinctive, high-quality output.
So, next time you’re looking for some input on your ideas and thought process, or feeling stuck or overwhelmed, fire up ChatGPT or Gemini and let the brainstorming begin!
