How to Use AI as a Brainstorming Tool

Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
— Albert Einstein, as quoted in Cosmic Religion: With Other Opinions and Aphorisms (1931)

Sometimes, we need ideas. Lots and lots of ideas. 

Not just for work and business, but anything. Everything. Maybe you’re planning a fundraising event for your local taxidermy society, or cooking dinner for six vegan-Buddhist friends with nut allergies, or trying to find a classy name for your personalised back-scratching business. And you need big ideas. And you’ve been staring at a blank page since last month.

Here’s where AI can help. Using AI as a brainstorming tool, you can generate dozens of ideas instantly. You don’t have to be “creative” to get value, and you’ll see that anyone can use AI to spark inspiration.

What Is an AI Brainstorming Tool?

An AI brainstorming tool is simply a system like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini that generates ideas based on your instructions (a prompt). You type in a question or scenario, and the AI produces an endless stream of possibilities.

This isn’t just for writers or creatives. A taxidermist club might look for ideas for a themed event. A parent might ask for rainy-day activities for their toddlers. A marketing manager might ask for campaign slogans. In every case, AI is a great tool to help you move past the “stuck on a blank page” phase.

Why AI Is the Ultimate Brainstorming Partner

Quantity of Ideas

AI can create 20, 50, or even 100 variations in seconds. This rapid generation makes it easy to explore directions you might not have considered.

Example: A D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) club requests 20 fundraising ideas. AI suggests a “Dungeon Crawl” Charity Game Night, where players pay to participate in an epic, multi-hour adventure. Offer snacks, prizes, and themed music to enhance the experience. Or “Monster Bake-Off”, when the club host a baking competition where treats must be themed after D&D monsters (e.g., Beholder cupcakes, Owlbear cookies). Sell slices and vote for winners.

Variety of Perspectives

Because AI draws from diverse sources, it can combine cultural, historical, and professional angles in surprising ways.

Example: A history-themed event that blends Australian taxation law trivia with Victorian science fair aesthetics.

“The Great Australasian Revenue Exhibition & Inland Revenue Gala of 1889”

A History-Themed Fundraiser Where Tax Law Meets Top Hats, Brass, and Bureaucratic Theatrics

Step into a reimagined Melbourne International Exhibition, where steam-powered calculators hum, gas lamps flicker over mahogany display cabinets, and learned gentlemen in frock coats debate the finer points of Section 25(3) of the Income Assessment Act — all in the name of charity.

The possibilities are endless.

Adaptability to Constraints

AI can also generate ideas tailored to specific conditions, such as dietary restrictions, budgets, or time constraints.

Example: “Dinner party menu for six meat-lovers, no nuts or soy.” Within seconds, you’ll have multiple menus featuring safe and creative recipes.

Iteration and Refinement

One of AI’s many strengths is its ability to refine and improve its suggestions.

Example: Ask for 10 recipe ideas. Then say, “Make them fancier, like a Michelin-starred restaurant style,” or “Simplify for under 30 minutes to prepare.” Each iteration sharpens the output to your needs.

Everyday Uses for AI Brainstorming (With Prompts)

Personal Life

Dinner menus: “Suggest 5 dinner menus for [number] people who are [dietary preference]. Avoid [allergy/ingredient].”

Travel itineraries: “Create a 3-day itinerary for [city] tailored to [family with kids/budget traveller/history enthusiast].”

Gift ideas: “List 10 gift ideas under [$X] for someone who loves [hobby/interest].”

Parenting hacks: “Give me 15 fun indoor activities to keep a [age]-year-old busy on a rainy day.”

Clubs & Communities

Fundraising events: “Brainstorm 15 creative fundraising ideas for a small [type of club], from quirky to practical.”

Themed competitions: “Suggest 10 competition ideas for a [club type] that are engaging, low-cost, and fun.”

Icebreakers: “List 10 icebreaker activities for a community meeting with [size] people who don’t know each other well.”

Attracting members: “Give me 10 ways to promote a local [club type] and attract new members.”

Work & Business

Marketing slogans: “Write 20 marketing slogans for a [product/service], half serious and half playful.”

Product names: “Suggest 15 creative names for a new [product category] that emphasise [value: eco-friendly, affordable, premium].”

New features: “List 10 potential new features for a [type of service/product] that customers would value.”

Team-building: “Give me 12 team-building activities for a hybrid team (half remote, half in-person).”

Problem-Solving

Storage solutions: “Provide 10 creative storage hacks for small apartments with limited space.”

Workflow fixes: “Suggest 10 ways to streamline [specific process] in an office setting.”

Hybrid events: “Brainstorm 8 ideas for making a hybrid (online + in-person) event engaging for both audiences.”

Quick fixes: “List 12 low-cost solutions for [specific problem: e.g., reducing background noise in video calls].”

How to Use AI for Brainstorming (Prompting Tips)

Good prompts lead to better brainstorming. Here’s how to guide AI effectively:

• Give context: Who is this for? What are the constraints?
• Ask for variety: “Give me some serious, some quirky, and some funny options.”
• Iterate: Take what’s interesting and push further: “Expand on #3 with a budget-friendly version.”

The Role of Human Judgment

AI is excellent at expanding the field of possibilities. However, it can’t know your group’s personality, cultural values, or unique constraints. That’s your job.

Think of AI as the energetic brainstorming partner who throws out ideas without judgment. Some will be impractical, some brilliant, and some hilariously off-base. The value is in sparking thoughts you wouldn’t have had alone. Even a “bad” idea can lead you to a great one.

Quick FAQ on AI Brainstorming

Q: What is an AI brainstorming tool?

A: A tool like ChatGPT that generates ideas from prompts.

Q: How can I use AI to generate new ideas?

A: Provide context, request variety, and iterate until you see what works.

Q: Can AI help with both personal and business brainstorming?

A: Yes, from recipes and travel plans to product slogans and marketing campaigns.

Q: What are examples of AI brainstorming prompts?

A: Event themes, slogans, recipes, team games, and fundraising ideas.

Q: How do I make AI outputs more creative?

A: Ask for different tones (funny, serious, quirky) or styles (luxury, budget, eco-friendly).

Q: Is AI brainstorming useful outside of writing?

A: Absolutely. It’s a universal creativity partner.

Q: How do I refine AI ideas into usable ones?

A: Treat outputs as starting points. Apply your knowledge, judgment, and context.

Wrapping Up

Brainstorming isn’t just for “creatives”; it’s for everyone. With AI, you can overcome blank page paralysis, explore dozens of perspectives, and find inspiration that fits your imagination.

The potential is limitless.

👉 Want more prompts and frameworks for everyday AI use? Subscribe to The Intelligent Playbook and get practical guides that turn AI into your creative partner.