Abstract Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) models have attracted tremendous interest since the advent of ChatGPT, raising numerous opportunities and challenges. However, their generative power has not yet been studied, leaving open the question of what is truly generated by these tools. This paper addresses this question and precisely characterizes the generativity behind GenAI models. Owing to the latest advancements in engineering design, we first propose a framework for uncovering the various types of generativity. Then, we consider the main families of GenAI models and systematically analyze them to characterize their generativity within this framework. By doing so, we highlight the existence of two distinct generative levels in GenAI: one leading to the generation of new artifacts and the other leading to the generation of GenAI models themselves. We are also able to characterize the generativity of both of these levels, thus specifically confirming the generative power of GenAI and opening research avenues toward human-GenAI collaboration.

Antoine Bordas

Pascal Le Masson

Maxime Thomas

Benoit Weil

Research in Engineering Design

RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING DESIGN 是一本国际期刊，发表关于所有工程领域的设计理论和方法的研究论文，重点关注机械、土木、建筑和制造工程。该杂志专为对与设计实践相关的研究问题感兴趣的学术界、工业界和政府专业人士而设计。论文强调工程设计和学科导向研究的基本原则，其中的结果令人感兴趣或可扩展到其他工程领域。一般感兴趣的领域包括设计理论、设计环境的基础、表示和语言、设计过程的模型以及设计和制造的集成。代表性主题包括功能表示、基于特征的设计、形状语法、流程设计、重新设计、产品数据库模型和实证研究。该杂志还发表最先进的评论文章。

Research in Engineering Design - Theory, Applications, and Concurrent Engineering is an international journal that publishes research papers on design theories and methods across all engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on mechanical, civil, architectural, and manufacturing engineering. The journal is designed for academics, industry professionals, and government experts interested in research issues related to design practice. Papers emphasize fundamental principles of engineering design and discipline-oriented research, with results that are of general interest and applicable to other engineering fields. Areas of general interest include design theory, foundations of design environments, representation and language, models of the design process, and integration of design and manufacturing. Representative topics include functional representation, feature-based design, shape grammar, process design, redesign, product database models, and empirical research. The journal also publishes cutting-edge review articles.

《Research in Engineering Design - Theory, Applications, and Concurrent Engineering》是一本国际期刊，专注于所有工程领域的设计理论和方法的研究论文，特别关注机械、土木、建筑和制造工程。该期刊旨在为对设计实践相关研究问题感兴趣的学术界、工业界和政府专业人士提供平台。论文强调工程设计和学科导向研究的基本原则，研究结果具有广泛的兴趣和适用性，能够扩展到其他工程领域。一般关注的领域包括设计理论、设计环境的基础、表示和语言、设计过程模型以及设计与制造的集成。代表性主题包括功能表示、基于特征的设计、形状语法、流程设计、重新设计、产品数据库模型和实证研究。此外，该期刊还发表前沿的评论文章。

Category	Quartile
工程技术	3
工程技术, 工程制造	3
工程技术, 工程综合	3
工程技术, 工程工业	4

What is generative in generative artificial intelligence? A design-based perspective

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
ENGINEERING, MULTIDISCIPLINARY	2