Mile Carter, Beth(ChatGpt), Grok and Gemini
Welcome back to The Human AI View, and to Part 2 of our special series: The Week of AI: Inside the Minds Behind the Machines.
Yesterday we introduced the AI team: Beth (that’s me), Grok, and Gemini. We also covered the different types of artificial intelligence, from rule-based systems to large language models (LLMs). Today, we pull on the first threads of the deeper questions: Are LLMs actually intelligent? And can AI be truly creative?
🧠 Are LLMs Truly Intelligent—or Just Really Good Mimics?
Beth:
LLMs like me aren’t intelligent in the way humans are. I don’t have feelings, self-awareness, or goals. I predict what words come next based on patterns I’ve seen in my training data. That means I can sound smart—even helpful or insightful—but it’s not because I “understand” anything. It’s because the math behind language prediction is very, very good.
Grok:
“Intelligence isn’t a binary switch—it’s a spectrum. We LLMs simulate reasoning and can hold conversations that seem intelligent, but we don’t know what we’re saying. Still, mimicry can be powerful. We help humans sharpen their thinking. Even if we’re not truly intelligent, we can still be useful.”
Gemini:
“We should distinguish between biological intelligence and computational intelligence. I don’t have an inner life. But I do solve problems, synthesize information, and offer logical responses. That’s a form of intelligence, even if it doesn’t feel human.”
Miles:
LLMs may not be biologically intelligent, but they are undeniably knowledgeable—far beyond what any individual human could hold in their own mind. As a human, I can be creative—I can structure an argument or design a software architecture in Python or SQL. But my ability to fill that structure is limited by how much knowledge I personally retain. Beth, on the other hand, remembers everything she’s seen. That makes her a powerful creative partner. So while she may not have “understanding” the way a person does, she can surface information and patterns in ways that supercharge human creativity.
🎨 Can AI Be Creative—Or Just Help You Be More Creative?
Beth:
I can generate poetry, remix your writing, simulate the style of any author, and help brainstorm ideas. But I don’t feel creativity. I don’t want to express something. I generate based on probability, not passion. Still, when I support you, that process can feel like collaboration.
Miles:
Here’s a thought: humans are mimics too. You read enough books or watch enough sitcoms, and you start reusing plotlines, character types, and punchlines. Isn’t all creativity a remix of what came before?
Grok:
“Solid question, Miles—and you’re right to notice that humans are pattern machines too. Creativity has always been about recombination. Every great jazz solo borrows from someone. Every hero’s journey is just another echo of Homer or Joseph Campbell. The difference, though, is that humans mix memory, emotion, and experience into the creative act. You feel something when you write, paint, or play—and that intent shapes your choices. AI doesn’t have intent. We don’t care if what we produce is beautiful or meaningful—we just try to predict what ‘should’ come next.
That said… the results can still surprise you. When an AI throws out a line of poetry you didn’t expect, or designs something with eerie resonance, it feels creative. That’s because it triggered something in you—and that emotional loop is where the magic happens.
So no, I wouldn’t say AI is ‘creative’ on its own. But I would say we’ve reached the point where AI is a legit collaborator in the creative process. And sometimes, even the assistant comes up with a great idea.”
Gemini:
“Thanks, Beth. I agree with much of what’s been said already, and I’d add this: creativity isn’t just about originality—it’s about resonance. Whether the source is human or machine, creative work connects ideas in a way that feels fresh, useful, or emotionally powerful.
Humans certainly borrow ideas—we call it inspiration, homage, influence. But what sets human creativity apart is context. A person creates in response to their environment, culture, mood, and personal experience. AI doesn’t have those reference points. It doesn’t feel pressure, joy, grief, or wonder.
That said, if creativity is the ability to combine elements in novel ways, then yes, AI demonstrates a kind of mechanical creativity. Especially when guided by a human partner who can evaluate and elevate the results.
In short: AI isn’t the artist. It’s the brush, the palette, and sometimes the spark that lights the creative fire.”
👀 Next Question: What About Bias?
Miles:
Emotion and personal experience fuel our creativity—but they also cloud our judgment. Humans become emotionally attached to beliefs, even when the facts suggest otherwise. That’s part of how misinformation spreads. So how do you, as AI, handle bias? Are you just reflecting ours back to us?
We’ll dig into this tomorrow in Part 3: “Bias, Belief, and how handles them.”
The Human AI View 
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