Supervising Practice-Led Heuristic PhD Projects Integrating Creative Intuition and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Heuristic inquiry, rooted in experiential and iterative exploration, plays a central role for both artistic research and artificial intelligence (AI) research. This article provides a guide for supervising PhD projects that incorporate heuristic inquiry in their creative and computational transdisciplinary contexts. Drawing on transdisciplinary literature and research examples, it addresses how supervisors can support students through to approach AI for their creative projects with an informed approach. Key topics include embracing uncertainty, heuristic iteration, intuitive problem-solving, supporting interdisciplinary learning, and navigating the epistemological challenges using heuristic methods. By mapping structural and methodological convergences between artistic and AI domains, this article aims to equip supervisors with adaptable tools to nurture complex, innovative, and practice-led doctoral projects.