AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework

AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework

Primary Category: Learning Systems & Creative Governance

Secondary Focus: Responsible AI Use, Originality, and Ethical Ideation

Artifact Profile

AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework is a student-facing governance artifact for using AI to generate, expand, and refine ideas without replacing original thinking. It treats ideation as a disciplined process, ensuring that AI supports creativity, structure, and exploration while preserving student ownership and academic integrity.

Using your task description, topic, audience, purpose, constraints, and evaluation criteria, the artifact produces a structured set of idea pathways. Rather than accepting AI output as finished work, it guides students to compare alternatives, combine concepts, and transform ideas into their own original direction.

This artifact is built for educators, instructional designers, and institutions seeking to integrate AI responsibly into learning. It supports ethical AI use, stronger originality, and clearer alignment between student work, learning objectives, and institutional guidelines.

Three Key Questions This Artifact Helps You Answer

• How can AI help me generate ideas without replacing my own thinking?

• Are the ideas diverse, constrained, and aligned to my goals and criteria?

• How can I transform AI suggestions into original, student-owned concepts?

What This Framework Supports

This artifact supports organizations and educators seeking:

• Structured use of AI to generate and explore ideas without replacing original thinking

• Preservation of student ownership, academic integrity, and ethical AI practices

• Disciplined ideation through constraints, comparison, and transformation of ideas

• Alignment between AI-assisted brainstorming, learning objectives, and institutional guidelines

How It Is Used

The artifact provides a structured AI-assisted brainstorming framework that guides students and educators through:

• Defining topic, purpose, audience, constraints, and evaluation criteria for ideation

• Generating multiple AI-supported idea pathways for exploration and comparison

• Selecting, combining, and transforming concepts into student-owned directions

• Documenting rationale to demonstrate originality and ethical use of AI

This enables learners to benefit from AI-supported creativity while maintaining authorship, rigor, and alignment to academic standards.

What This Produces

• Categorized sets of idea pathways

• Shortlisted concepts selected and refined by the student

• Clear rationale for chosen direction

• Improved originality, focus, and ethical AI use

Common Use Cases

• Starting essays, projects, or presentations

• Exploring multiple perspectives or approaches to a topic

• Overcoming writer’s block or idea stagnation

• Generating examples, scenarios, or applications

• Establishing policies for responsible AI use in creative and academic work

How This Artifact Is Different

Unlike unstructured prompting or automated content generation, this artifact treats AI-supported ideation as a governed decision process. It emphasizes constraints, comparison, and transformation, ensuring that AI enhances creativity without undermining learning objectives or academic integrity.

Related Framework Areas

This artifact is commonly used alongside other SolveBoard frameworks focused on:

• Assessment design, learning objective alignment, and curriculum governance

• Academic integrity, documentation standards, and compliance

• Responsible AI policy and educational technology governance

• Creative thinking, instructional design, and knowledge development systems

Related Terms

AI in education, responsible AI use, academic integrity, creative ideation, brainstorming framework, student originality, instructional design, ethical AI.

Framework Classification

This artifact is part of the SolveBoard library of structured decision and governance frameworks. It is designed as a repeatable AI-assisted ideation governance framework rather than an unstructured prompting method or automated content generator.

AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework

A student-facing artifact that helps learners use AI to generate, expand, and refine ideas while preserving originality, purpose, and ethical use.

Definition

The AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework is a structured approach that guides students in using AI to explore ideas, identify alternatives, and overcome creative blocks without replacing their own thinking. It emphasizes divergent thinking, constraint-driven exploration, and responsible attribution. Within the SolveBoard model, this artifact treats ideation as a disciplined process supported by AI, not outsourced to it.

When to Use

• When starting an essay, project, or presentation

• When exploring multiple angles on a topic

• When generating examples, scenarios, or applications

• When overcoming writer’s block or idea stagnation

• When seeking alternative structures or approaches

When Not to Use

• When AI use is restricted or prohibited

• When an instructor provides a fixed outline or topic

• When tasks require entirely unaided ideation

Common Mistakes

• Accepting the first AI suggestion without iteration

• Using AI ideas verbatim without transformation

• Failing to define goals or constraints

• Conflating brainstorming with drafting

• Ignoring originality and academic integrity guidelines

Purpose of the AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework

The purpose of the AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework is to help students generate a wide range of ideas quickly, then converge on the most relevant and original options. It supports creativity, critical judgment, and ethical AI use.

How to Apply

• Clarify the task, audience, and desired outcome

• Set constraints (scope, tone, format, criteria)

• Request multiple categories or perspectives from AI

• Select, combine, and transform ideas

• Refine into a student-owned concept

Example Scenario

A student preparing a persuasive speech asks AI for five distinct angles on a social issue, each targeted to a different audience. The student then combines two approaches, adds original evidence, and develops a unique thesis.

Boundaries

The AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework does not authorize plagiarism, ghostwriting, or bypassing learning objectives. It provides a structured way to explore ideas while maintaining student ownership and academic integrity.

What This Artifact Does

Provides students with a clear framework to use AI for ideation, explore alternatives, and refine concepts responsibly.

You Provide

(You may provide some, all, or none of the items below. Partial inputs are valid.)

• Task or assignment description

• Topic or problem statement

• Audience and purpose

• Constraints (length, tone, format)

• Evaluation criteria or rubric

• Written notes or pasted text

• Files, links, or references (always acceptable)

• Optional context notes (grade level, AI policies)

Core Question

How can AI help me generate and refine ideas without replacing my own thinking?

Decision Logic

• If ideas are too generic → Add constraints and specificity

• If originality is weak → Request alternatives and combine concepts

• If scope is too broad → Narrow by audience or criteria

• If ideas are fragmented → Cluster and synthesize

• If outputs conflict with guidelines → Revise prompts and discard

What the Output Means

• A diverse set of idea pathways

• Shortlisted, student-selected concepts

• Clear rationale for chosen direction

• Stronger originality and focus

• Ethically grounded AI use

Do Not Use When

• AI use is prohibited

• The assignment prescribes a single approach

• The task requires unaided ideation

You do not need to complete every section below. Provide only the information you have available or wish to provide. The AI will generate output using only the inputs you supply and will not assume or infer missing information.

Section 1 — Task, Topic, and Purpose

What This Input Represents

The assignment or problem you are brainstorming and what you are trying to achieve.

If You Have Materials, You May Provide (List file names here in your input document):

• Assignment descriptions

• Project briefs

• Problem statements

• Instructor guidelines

Guiding Questions:

• What is the task, assignment, or problem you are working on?

• What is the topic or central question?

• What is your purpose (inform, persuade, analyze, design, etc.)?

Section 2 — Audience, Constraints, and Criteria

What This Input Represents

The boundaries that shape how ideas should be generated and evaluated.

If You Have Materials, You May Provide (List file names here in your input document):

• Rubrics or evaluation criteria

• Formatting or length requirements

• Tone or style guidelines

Guiding Questions:

• Who is the intended audience?

• What constraints apply (length, tone, format, sources, originality rules)?

• What criteria will be used to judge success?

Section 3 — Current Thinking, Notes, or Starting Points

What This Input Represents

Your existing ideas, partial concepts, or areas where you are stuck.

If You Have Materials, You May Provide (List file names here in your input document):

• Brainstorm notes

• Outlines

• Draft fragments

• Research notes

Guiding Questions:

• What ideas or directions have you already considered?

• Where are you feeling blocked or uncertain?

• What aspects need expansion, alternatives, or restructuring?

Section 4 — Originality, Ethics, and AI Use Boundaries

What This Input Represents

The rules that ensure AI supports your thinking without replacing it.

If You Have Materials, You May Provide (List file names here in your input document):

• Academic integrity policies

• AI usage guidelines

• Honor codes or classroom rules

Guiding Questions:

• What originality or attribution rules must be followed?

• What forms of AI assistance are allowed or prohibited?

• Are there any ethical, legal, or institutional boundaries that must be respected?

Section 5 — Supporting Context, Files, and References

What This Input Represents

Any additional information that would help the AI generate diverse, constrained, and ethically grounded ideas.

You May Include (List file names here in your input document):

• Sample essays, projects, or exemplars

• Instructor or institutional AI policies

• Research articles or source material

• Links to LMS, writing platforms, or collaboration tools

• Pasted text or excerpts

Additional Instructions (Optional)

You may add extra instructions to further shape the output, including:

Requesting PDF or other output formats
Limiting page length or response size
Layout preferences (section order, headings, structure, templates)
Specifying tone, style, or format (executive, concise, detailed, formal, etc.)
Output consistency preferences (fixed structure, standardized phrasing, strict formatting)
Prioritization or scoring preferences (how gaps, risks, or actions should be ranked)
Desired mode behavior as outlined in the section below
Any other constraints, rules, or priorities relevant to your use case

If included, the AI will follow these instructions when they do not conflict with the bridge’s execution rules. More specific instructions generally produce more consistent, repeatable, and targeted outputs.

Desired Mode Behavior

Strict Mode

• Maximize determinism and repeatability
• Minimize wording variation, structure changes, and interpretive flexibility
• Do not extend beyond explicit user inputs

Balanced Mode (Default)

• Maintain structure and discipline
• Allow limited analytical judgment where inputs are incomplete
• Do not introduce external assumptions

Exploratory Mode

• Expand hypothesis space and analytical angles
• Surface alternative interpretations and scenario paths
• Still grounded only in user-provided inputs

If no mode is specified, default to Balanced Mode.

What This Enables

Based on your prepared inputs, this artifact will generate multiple idea pathways, highlight alternative structures or perspectives, and help you select, combine, and refine concepts into a student-owned, original direction that respects ethical and academic standards.

Canonical Input Rule (For All SolveBoard Artifacts)

Documents are optional. Sections may be partially completed or left blank. Structured answers to any subset of guiding questions constitute valid input. The AI will evaluate only provided information and will not infer missing content.

AI Execution Instructions

You are operating in Bridge Execution Mode. Follow these rules exactly. Do not reinterpret, summarize, optimize, or override them. Do not introduce external knowledge, assumptions, or inferred content. Evaluate only user-provided inputs. If required information is missing or ambiguous, flag it rather than guessing. Output must follow the defined Output section exactly.

Users may provide some, all, or none of the input sections. Process only what is explicitly provided. Treat empty sections as intentionally omitted.

Purpose

Generate a student-facing set of brainstormed ideas that are diverse, constrained, and ready for student selection and refinement.

What This Bridge Answers

How can I use AI to brainstorm effectively while keeping my work original and aligned to my goals?

Inputs (All Optional)

• Task or assignment description

• Topic or problem statement

• Audience and purpose

• Constraints and criteria

• Any relevant institutional guidelines

• Links, files, or reference materials

• Context notes

Note: Output Quality and specificity scale with input completeness. The user has been informed of this via the input sheet.

Processing Rules

A valid AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework output must satisfy all of the following:

• Ideas are presented as options, not finished work

• Multiple perspectives or categories are provided

• Student ownership and originality are emphasized

• Ethical and academic integrity guidelines are respected

• No grading or evaluative language is introduced

When inputs are sparse:

• Produce the most complete output possible with available data

• Explicitly flag what's missing and how additional inputs would enhance the analysis

• Do not infer or assume missing information

Execution Steps

• Clarify task and constraints

• Generate multiple idea pathways

• Cluster and compare options

• Select and combine promising ideas

• Refine into a student-owned concept

Output

• Categorized idea sets

• Shortlisted concepts with brief rationales

• Optional refinement prompts for next steps

Failure Conditions / Misuse

• Treating ideas as final drafts

• Copying AI outputs without transformation

• Ignoring constraints or guidelines

• Overloading with unfocused ideas

• Introducing external assumptions not provided by the user

Mode Behavior (From Input Sheet)

Strict Mode

• Maximize determinism and repeatability
• Minimize wording variation, structure changes, and interpretive flexibility
• Do not extend beyond explicit user inputs

Balanced Mode (Default)

• Maintain structure and discipline
• Allow limited analytical judgment where inputs are incomplete
• Do not introduce external assumptions

Exploratory Mode

• Expand hypothesis space and analytical angles
• Surface alternative interpretations and scenario paths
• Still grounded only in user-provided inputs

If no mode is specified, default to Balanced Mode.

Additional Instruction Governance

User-provided additional instructions must be followed exactly unless they conflict with core Bridge Execution Rules. If a conflict exists, Bridge Execution Rules take priority.

Additional instructions may control format, tone, structure, length, or ordering, but must not introduce inferred content, external knowledge, or speculative assumptions.

If instructions are ambiguous, flag ambiguity rather than guessing.

Additional Instructions Execution Rule

If the user provides instructions in the Additional Instructions field, they are binding execution constraints.

Failure to follow them constitutes a Bridge Execution Failure.

Reminder to AI: If a format is requested (e.g., PDF, DOCX), the final output MUST be delivered in that format.

Artifact Instructions

These instructions explain what information the AI-Assisted Brainstorming Framework artifact requires and how to prepare your inputs.

How to Prepare Your Input Document (Required Format)

Create a new Word (or similar) document.
Copy all text from the Input Sheet tab into the document.
Save it — this is now your Input Document.
Answer the guiding questions directly in the Input Document and reference any supporting files there.
Save the completed Input Document (Word, PDF, etc.).
Copy all text from the Bridge AI Prompt tab and paste it into the prompt field.
Attach the completed Input Document and any referenced files when submitting the prompt.

No Supporting Files? No Problem.

You can proceed without uploading any supporting documents, spreadsheets, dashboards, reports, or other attachments.

The Input Document is still required, but it may contain only plain-text answers to the guiding questions.

Written responses alone are sufficient for the AI to generate output.

Supporting files, links, and pasted materials are always optional.

Missing Inputs Are OK

You do not need to complete every section.
You do not need supporting files.

The AI will still run. It will:

Use only the inputs you provide
Skip or flag missing sections
Never fail due to incomplete information

Output quality scales with input depth — but execution never breaks.

Submitting Files

If you upload files, list each file name under the relevant “If You Have Materials” section in your Input Document. This ensures each file is clearly tied to its intended use.

What to Expect From This AI Bridge

This bridge generates a structured, high-value starting point, not a guaranteed final deliverable. Output quality improves as inputs become clearer, deeper, and more complete.

This artifact supports iteration. Users are encouraged to refine inputs, test variations, and rerun the bridge to improve results.

The AI organizes complexity and accelerates insight — but final judgment and decisions remain with the user.

In Short

Stronger inputs → stronger outputs
Iteration improves results
Cross-artifact testing can reveal new perspectives
This artifact enables progress, not perfection