The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly its accelerating cognitive capabilities, has brought all of us back to a foundational question: What capacities truly define human uniqueness in the age of AI? In this seminar, I propose that two qualities, our capacity to feel (e.g., affect, emotions) and our ability to create (creativity), lie at the heart of this inquiry. Drawing on an integrative review of research across multiple disciplines and the development of a conceptual framework, I aim to show that affect and creativity are not separate domains but are deeply and dynamically intertwined, with a relationship more complex and nuanced than conventionally assumed. While creativity is often understood as a cognitive act of “creating by thinking,” this view overlooks its equally essential affective dimension. By illuminating how we also “create by feeling,” I hope to open a broader conversation with colleagues about emotions, creativity, and human potential in the age of AI.

wlucy2@ceibs.edu