Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like Chat GPT, Gemini etc, which are readily available to the student community are increasingly changing the way students write in Indian Higher Education. Though we know that AI is credited for enhancing generation of ideas, fluency in language, and learner confidence, still there are concerns on originality, complete dependence and homogenisation of text and creative output. The present study examines whether use of AI genuinely enhances student creativity their imaginative capacity or just produces a kind of illusion and perceived effect of creativity due to the algorithmic intervention.

The study uses a mixed method approach, the research draws on survey responses from undergraduate students, short creative writing tasks with and without the intervention of AI and also teacher perceptions from the teacher teaching English. Quantitative findings suggest there is increased confidence in the students, their vocabulary bank and the structural coherence in AI assisted writing.