Machine-learning models that learn from data how to produce new examples like it. GANs, VAEs, diffusion models and language models are all generative models.
Today, our generative models are these really nice grids.
Ian Goodfellow, Ian Goodfellow on Inventing GANs
If we look at the backlash against AI, which pits human creativity against generative models, it appears to be guided by archaic notions of creativity, which suffer from residues of said twentieth century humanism.
AA Cavia, AA Cavia on Summoning Worlds