Creative Ecosystems

This paper addresses problems in computational creative discovery, either autonomous or in synergetic tandem with humans. A computer program generates output as a combination of base primitives whose interpretation must lie outside the program itself. Concepts of combinatoric and creative emergence are analysed in relation to creative outputs being novel and appropriate combinations of base primitives, with the conclusion that the choice of the generative process that builds and combines the primitives is of high importance. The generalised concept of an artificial ecosystem, which adapts concepts and processes from a biological ecosystem at a metaphoric level, is an appropriate generative system for creative discovery. The fundamental properties of artificial ecosystems are discussed and examples given in two different creative problem domains. Systems are implemented as pure simulation, and where the ecosystem concept is expanded to include real environments and people as ecosystem components, offer an alternative to the `software tool' approach of conventional creative software.