Artificial intelligence outperforms humans in strategy games, website design and data processing, but now the tech can add creative thinking to the list.

AI chatbots surpassed humans when asked to devise alternative uses for everyday objects.

Researchers said the AI used a skill known as divergent thinking, a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. 

The study by the University of Stavanger in Norway involved 256 human volunteers and three AI chatbots – ChatGPT3, ChatGPT4, and Copy.Ai - that were asked to provide multiple uses for a rope, box, pencil and candle.