- Research & Thought Leadership
The Future Creative
Exploring the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence, and preparing learners for a world where creative work is fundamentally transformed.
As generative AI reshapes creative industries and processes, we must reimagine what it means to be creative, how we cultivate creative capacities, and what role education plays in preparing the next generation of creative professionals and thinkers.
What is The Future Creative?
The Future Creative is both a concept and a call to action. It represents individuals who can harness the power of AI and emerging technologies while maintaining the uniquely human elements of creativity.
The concept of The Future Creative first emerged through Matthew’s speaking engagements and conference presentations and has since become a central focus of a course he teaches at the University of Connecticut. Developed from a synthesis of creativity research and future thinking, the concept is explored in greater depth in the forthcoming book The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education, co-authored by Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett.
The Future Creative expands beyond traditional creative fields to include anyone who intentionally uses their skills, knowledge, and imagination to advance experience, innovation, and understanding. It represents an ideal embodied by teachers, scientists, politicians, and everyday individuals who contribute to the continuous evolution of our digital culture and shared knowledge. Yet today’s creatives are being challenged once again to adapt and evolve with the emergence of AI technologies, ushering in a new era of transformation in how we think, create, and learn.
Four Key Questions
Critical inquiries shaping research and practice in AI-enhanced creativity
How will AI transform the nature of creative work?
Exploring the evolving relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, and what it means for creative professionals and educators.
What creative skills will remain uniquely human?
Identifying the irreplaceable aspects of human creativity that will continue to differentiate us in an AI-augmented world.
How do we prepare students for creative futures we can't yet imagine?
Developing adaptive frameworks that equip learners with creative capacities for unknown challenges and opportunities.
What role does ethics play in AI-enhanced creativity?
Examining the moral and ethical considerations of using AI in creative processes, from authorship to cultural impact.
Speaking & Presentations
Keynotes and workshops exploring The Future Creative across educational settings
The Future Creative: Navigating AI and Human Creativity
ISTE Annual Conference 2025
A comprehensive exploration of how generative AI is reshaping creative work and what it means for education. This keynote examines the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence, offering frameworks for preparing students to be future creatives.
Key Topics:
- Understanding the AI creativity landscape
- Practical frameworks for classroom integration
- Identifying uniquely human creative capacities
- Ethical considerations and best practices
Target Audience:
Educators, Technology Leaders
- Date: June 2025
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Format: Keynote
- Location: Denver, CO
Beyond Prompts: Teaching Creative Thinking in the Age of AI
National Association of Independent Schools
Moving beyond technical skills to cultivate the creative mindsets and capacities that will distinguish human creativity. Practical strategies for integrating AI tools while developing students’ creative agency.
Key Topics:
- Creative thinking vs. technical proficiency
- Assessment strategies for AI-augmented work
- Developing student creative agency
- Hands-on activity design
Target Audience:
K-12 Educators, Administrators
- Date: March 2025
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Workshop
- Location: Virtual
Reimagining Assessment: Evaluating Creativity in AI-Augmented Work
Learning Forward Annual Conference
Rethinking how we assess creative work when students have access to powerful AI tools. New frameworks for evaluating creative thinking, process, and authentic contribution.
Key Topics:
- New assessment paradigms for AI era
- Rubrics and tools for authentic work
- Evaluating creative process over product
- Case studies from innovative schools
Target Audience:
Professional Development Leaders
- Date: December 2024
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Format: Session
- Location: Boston, MA
- Coming 2026
The Future Creative
Preparing Learners for a World of AI-Enhanced Creativity
This book examines shifts in creative work as AI advances. It provides educators and leaders a roadmap for navigating this change.
From reimagining curriculum to rethinking assessment, from developing new creative capacities to addressing ethical challenges,
The Future Creative