Can computers ever be creative? To address this issue, we first propose a working definition of creativity as "A cognitive act is deemed creative if it provides a new perspective or new information about an object, situation or phenomenon." To provide grounding for this definition, we present a few examples of creativity in perceptual and conceptual domains.

Then we turn to an examination of the two main cognitive mechanisms of human creativity: namely "juxtaposition of dissimilar" and "de-conceptualization". In juxtaposition of the dissimilar, two or more unrelated objects or situations are juxtaposed together in order to create new meanings and new perspectives through their synthesis. In de-conceptualization, the objective is to destroy the existing conceptualization of the object, and to move closer to the perceptual stimuli in order to see it in a new way. With respect to both these mechanisms, we argue that one main hurdle with human creativity is in trying to step out of our conceptual associations. In fact, associations are so much an essential part of our genetic and cultural heritage that it is very difficult to go against it even when logic or reason dictates it (as in "unbiased random searches"); and they are often used to get a glimpse of the subconscious mind (as in "free-association tests" used by psychiatrists).

However, computers do not have such conceptual associations. In fact, on the contrary, much research has been done to program these human conceptual associations in the computers, and the result is still far from satisfactory. But should this not make computers predisposed towards creativity?

Taking this viewpoint, we argue that computers indeed have a creative potential that can surpass human creativity in a sense. Of course, humans, being the ultimate consumers, determine in what ways an object or situation is considered meaningful. But computers can explore this meaning space more thoroughly than humans, and provide perspectives that can lead to radically new insights. I will also present some examples here to show how blurred is the boundary between human and computer creations.

Using this approach, we present some ideas on how computers can be used to support creativity. For example, discovering new features using computer analysis can give rise to "computer-based aesthetics". Or computers can be used to generate novel and unusual combinations of stimuli using familiar material to promote imagination and creative thinking in the users.