Imagination Tool: Accessible AI Image Generation Software to Support Child Ideation and Creative Expression

Despite the rising popularity in image AI generation systems, key open questions remain as to both (1) how to design such systems for use by children, and (2) what roles generative AI may play in contexts in which media creation is not the end goal, but is rather used to support other human endeavours such as communication and ideation. We describe a new AI image generation tool, designed to support children engaging in creative ideation, expression, and visually communicating their ideas—in particular, their visions for the future. We describe key aspects of the system’s implementation, including ensuring the system produces child-safe and task-appropriate images, and mechanisms for supporting children in ideation. This work can thus inform researchers in computational creativity who aim to address safety and usability of systems for children