Mastering delegation to artificial intelligence creative tools: The concept, dimensions, and development of a scale to measure cognitive outsourcing

Although large language models like ChatGPT enable creators to outsource cognitive tasks, partially or entirely entrusting the creative process to artificial intelligence (AI), there is no standardized tool for measuring cognitive outsourcing. In this study we discussed the concept and dimensions of cognitive outsourcing in the context of AI, leading to the development of a measure we called the Cognitive Outsourcing Behavior Toward Artificial Intelligence Scale. By analyzing the content of qualitative interviews with 10 people and 279 quantitative survey responses, we developed this scale, which is composed of 30 items representing five dimensions of cognitive outsourcing: unreliability, gullibility, irrationality, dependency, and cognitive autonomy. We found that individuals’ cognitive outsourcing behaviors when collaborating with AI were influenced by their perception of the tool’s credibility and reliability, among other factors, and involved reflection on the extent to which their agency is compromised. Our research underscores the significance of cognitive outsourcing in AI-enhanced creativity, providing a comprehensive tool for future investigations into the effects of AI on human creativity and practices.