In the past years, we’ve witnessed a massive leap in AI development. It all started with Chat-GPT, which has already reached its fourth iteration in what feels like a blink.
Rumor has it, they could drop the seventh version anytime, but they’re letting us ease into it. Now, we’re hearing about plug-ins for various apps that will make everything smoother, faster, and easier to use. Even Windows 365 is incorporating AI to optimize its classic applications (Excel, I’m looking at you, wink-wink—I’m genuinely hoping to solve those spreadsheet headaches with a single sentence). Meanwhile, Google’s Bard is promising conversational search results, much like ChatGPT, but also boasts the ability to write essays or even poems on command.
So, what can’t AI do? Or, better yet, what can humans do better?
Whether you’re listening to your favourite song, re-reading that book for the second, third, or fifth time, admiring a piece of art, or watching a beloved movie, I’m sure you—like me—are often left in awe of humans creativity.
Our creativity is the product of genetics, environment, motivation, personality, and experience. None of which AI inherently possesses. The most iconic artists of all time—Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Picasso, and even The Beatles—created their work in ways that were deeply unique and personal. That’s how they left their mark on history.
Creativity is also about connecting ideas in fresh, unexpected ways, thinking outside the box, and discovering solutions through flexible, innovative thinking. Flexibility is one of the key traits of human creativity, and it’s hard to imagine AI surpassing that anytime soon. Even if AI can solve every problem we face, we still need to be creative enough to ask the right questions or guide it to give us the answers we’re seeking. That begs the question: What is the right answer for some of life’s biggest questions?
For AI to provide high-quality answers, it requires high-quality input. The less familiar you are with a topic (especially if it’s outside your area of expertise), the higher the chance your question might lead to a shallow or incomplete answer. And beyond that, those answers won’t come with vision, intuition, or emotion. And creativity is often driven by emotion. Studies show that creative individuals tend to be more emotionally sensitive, which not only leads to new ideas but also to a deeper understanding of the world around them.
The future world will be a world of creativity.
As Albert Einstein once said:
“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.”
Fifteen years ago, a team of researchers from University College London and the University of Copenhagen conducted a study that revealed something fascinating. They showed a test group two sets of images: some created by humans, others by a computer. The group knew the origins of the images differed but didn’t know which was which. As they viewed the images, an fMRI machine recorded their brain activity. The result? Not only did they overwhelmingly prefer the human-made images, but the pleasure centers of their brains lit up like fireworks. The scientists described the response as “brilliant,” with the brain showing clear signs of enjoyment.
What this 15-year-old study didn’t predict, though, is another factor that will emerge as AI’s influence grows in the creative space: our preference for human creativity might actually strengthen over time. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, a collective consciousness and heightened awareness of what makes human creativity special might make us cherish it even more.
In a world increasingly shaped by machines, human creativity will stand as the ultimate luxury—a raw, emotional, and irreplaceable part of the human experience that AI simply can’t replicate. And as AI keeps evolving, it’ll be our creativity that keeps humanity ahead of the game.
Sum up:
- AI handles the routine, humans bring the magic
AI will automate repetitive tasks, giving humans more time to focus on what truly requires creative thought. Imagine a future where designers, writers, and innovators can spend more time ideating and experimenting rather than dealing with the mundane details. This shift will allow creativity to flourish in ways we’ve never seen before. - AI is a tool, not a creator
Though AI can assist in generating ideas or mimicking certain creative processes, it’s still driven by pre-existing data and algorithms. True creativity comes from synthesizing the unexpected, combining disparate ideas, and adding a layer of emotional intelligence that AI simply can’t replicate. As AI becomes more prominent, this distinction will make human creative input more valuable. - Creativity thrives in unpredictability
AI is great at optimization, but creativity is often born from mistakes, happy accidents, and moments of unpredictability. Whether it’s a song, a painting, or a breakthrough business idea, human creativity doesn’t follow a set algorithm, and that unpredictability is its strength. In a world driven by logic and data, human imagination will be the ultimate differentiator. - Emotional connection
Art, storytelling, and design are deeply rooted in emotion. Whether it’s a powerful film scene, a piece of music that stirs the soul, or a brand that resonates with consumers, emotional depth is what sets human creativity apart. AI can analyze emotions, but it can’t feel them. As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, the ability to create emotional connections will become even more valuable. - Human creativity drives innovation
While AI can improve efficiency, humans are the ones who dream up entirely new concepts, products, and movements. History’s greatest innovations—from the wheel to the iPhone—have stemmed from human creativity. As AI takes over more technical tasks, humans will have the space to push the boundaries of what’s possible, driving society forward in unexpected and exciting ways.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to drop a comment—your thoughts are not only welcome, but encouraged!
