# Mimetic Poet

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.11984 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.11984/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 6 of its 41 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 4 Jun 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [Extracting Training Data from Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2012.07805/) (2020)
- [Scalable Extraction of Training Data from (Production) Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.17035/) (2023)
- [PromptChainer: Chaining Large Language Model Prompts through Visual Programming](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.06566/) (2022)
- [Towards A Diffractive Analysis of Prompt-Based Generative AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.01783/) (2024)
- [Mirror Ritual: An Affective Interface for Emotional Self-Reflection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2004.09685/) (2020)
- [Message Ritual: A Posthuman Account of Living with Lamp](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.10947/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This paper presents the design and initial assessment of a novel device that uses generative AI to facilitate creative ideation, inspiration, and reflective thought. Inspired by magnetic poetry, which was originally designed to help overcome writer's block, the device allows participants to compose short poetic texts from a limited vocabulary by physically placing words on the device's surface. Upon composing the text, the system employs a large language model (LLM) to generate a response, displayed on an e-ink screen. We explored various strategies for internally sequencing prompts to foster creative thinking, including analogy, allegorical interpretations, and ideation. We installed the device in our research laboratory for two weeks and held a focus group at the conclusion to evaluate the design. The design choice to limit interactions with the LLM to poetic text, coupled with the tactile experience of assembling the poem, fostered a deeper and more enjoyable engagement with the LLM compared to traditional chatbot or screen-based interactions. This approach gives users the opportunity to reflect on the AI-generated responses in a manner conducive to creative thought.