{"ID":2871128,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.12408","arxiv_id":"2509.12408","title":"Scaffolding Flexible Ideation Workflows with AI in Creative Problem-Solving","abstract":"Divergent thinking in the ideation stage of creative problem-solving demands that individuals explore a broad design space. Yet this exploration rarely follows a neat, linear sequence; problem-solvers constantly shift among searching, creating, and evaluating ideas. Existing interfaces either impose rigid, step-by-step workflows or permit unguided free-form exploration. To strike a balance between flexibility and guidance for augmenting people's efficiency and creativity, we introduce a human-AI collaborative workflow that supports a fluid ideation process. The system surfaces three opt-in aids: (1) high-level schemas to uncover alternative ideas, (2) risk analysis with mitigation suggestions, and (3) steering system-generated suggestions. Users can invoke these supports at any moment, allowing seamless back-and-forth movement among design actions to maintain creative momentum.","short_abstract":"Divergent thinking in the ideation stage of creative problem-solving demands that individuals explore a broad design space. Yet this exploration rarely follows a neat, linear sequence; problem-solvers constantly shift among searching, creating, and evaluating ideas. Existing interfaces either impose rigid, step-by-step...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.12408","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2509.12408v3","authors":"[\"Yaqing Yang\",\"Vikram Mohanty\",\"Nikolas Martelaro\",\"Aniket Kittur\",\"Yan-Ying Chen\",\"Matthew K. Hong\"]","published":"2025-09-15T19:55:42Z","proceeding":"cs.HC","tasks":"[\"cs.HC\"]","methods":"[\"LoRA\"]","has_code":false}