In order to generate valuable innovations, it is important to come up with potential beneficial ideas. A well-known method for collective idea generation is Brainstorming and with Electronic Brainstorming, individuals can virtually brainstorm. However, an effective Brainstorming facilitation always needs a moderator. In our research, we designed and implemented a virtual moderator that can automatically facilitate a Brainstorming session. We used various artificial intelligence functions, like natural language processing, machine learning and reasoning and created a comprehensive Intelligent Moderator (IMO) for virtual Brainstorming.

When the initiation was done by an admin and all participants joined the channel, the brainstorming session can start. The single steps of this session are shown in the following figure. The first phase is the idea generation. This phase is all about the individual creativity of the participants. First they get the Point-of-View and a problem statement. In predefined time intervals a How-might-we (HMW) question is asked to stimulate their idea generation. In this first phase the communication between the participants is blocked, so they can concentrate on their individual idea generation. In addition to the provided HMW question they get a selection of ideas generated by the others, after submitting an own idea.

After the time for the idea generation is over, the voting starts. The idea behind the voting is, to thin out the mass of ideas generated in the previous phase. In the voting phase the generated ideas are shown to all the participants sorted by the HMW questions. The participants can then place their votes and afterwards the three best ideas per HMW question are shown and used for further discussion. After all votings are done, the discussion starts. The idea of the discussion phase is that the group can discuss the generated ideas, and perhaps modify or deepen them. The goal of the discussion is to solve the given problem statement and to generate a final idea.

The following figure shows the adopted Brainstorming process within our artifact and the underlying technology behind each function.

For getting an idea of the prototype, take a look at the following clips, showing some selected functions.

With our artifact, we created an innovative solution for virtual Brainstorming that can be supported, organized and executed with the help of a virtual moderator. With our evaluations, we plan to examine the applicability of our prototype. Furthermore, we plan to examine the interaction between individuals and an AI, which can contribute to the understanding of group interaction theories. In this context, we take our artifact to the next level, by developing an independent artificial participant, a Creative Artificial Intelligence (CAI). Currently we are implementing CAI, a creative and active participant that is capable of human-level creativity. We plan on further investigating the interaction with AI in creative process and examine, whether theories of group interaction apply. In summon, it can be said, that we designed a novel artifact, that can contribute to practice in many ways and change or further develop theories on group interaction.

Here you can find the artefacts full demonstration: brAInstorm Screencapture on Vimeo
Password: desrist2017