Does Creativity Hold a Chance?

With digital disruption, artificial intelligence, algorithms coming to the forefront of job takeovers, there is a sense of anxiety amongst the youth. Questions being discussed are, what skill sets are required to compete with AI?, what will future jobs entail?, will technology do everything? Uncertain future requires a wide array of education trajectories for empowering future global citizens.

A lot of forums, debates and conferences are being held to get diverse viewpoints to address and forecast, what skill are required for future leaders. A consensus that threads the thought is, the need for the education system to adapt and prepare the youth of tomorrow for the emerging job market.

In the cacophony of technology and data driven environment, the education system needs to pause, so that our leaders of tomorrow hear the pregnant silence of creativity.

The world is moving into a new and uncharted territory and according to, Dr. Rollo May, “Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being. Creativity requires passion and commitment. It brings to our awareness what was previously hidden and points to new life. The experience is one of heightened consciousness; ecstasy.”

In the hallowed world of education, creativity and innovation are not talked about in the same breath. Innovation takes the lead as if in a race to beat technology itself, but creativity leads to innovation. It is the ingenuity of transforming new ideas into reality. Creativity is like a diamond, every facet of life needs the light of creativity.The glow of creativity in each facet makes the life shine brilliantly.

Every job needs the creative edge, be it a multinational company, an advertising firm, a technology giant or an educational institution. From here starts the next question, who is creative or What is required to unlock creativity?

Creativity can be unlocked anywhere, anytime. For our future leaders, who are still in the space of higher learning creativity can be unleashed in classrooms. Educators need to encourage students to collaborate and communicate with each other. Collaboration and communication leads to creativity. Students come together to write a narrative or create a film Creativity skills can be honed tickling the imagination of the students.

Every individual is born with the creative potential and by prodding the students to answer questions imaginatively, creativity can be uncorked.The way a question is framed, determines the type of answer..

Coming together to discuss a problem or an issue, challenges assumptions and this is another way to be imaginative. Linear perspective don’t solve problem or issues. There are different solutions to one problem. And these different solutions are ignited by imagination which leads to creativity. Creativity is the way to resolve problems in interesting or unique ways, and not one way is the right or the correct way. Creativity is an expression that can be harnessed with support of technology. Thus, creativity is the skill of the future.

Knowledge in any field is important. Knowledge leads to inspiration and inspiration is an important ingredient for creativity. Inspiration comes from books, films, music, photography, going for a walk, talking to friends, cooking, you name it. It’s important to have knowledge of a whole gamut of things, as delving into these lead to inspiration. The fuel of artistic creativity is inspiration and the ingredients for inspiration are knowledge and experience. While one cultivates knowledge, experiential learning light the creative fire.

Technology can’t replace creative people. Technology needs creative people. Creativity aids technology to conceive and innovate realistically. It also contributes to the uniqueness of individuals and innovations. Technology itself is a product of the creative people. Look around, the creative people are using technology to “up” their products. Creativity inspires technology to progress and acknowledging this concedes creativity to take a bow center stage.

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.” Steve Jobs