Automation Threats Make Creativity the Most Valued Skill for Future Careers

Concerns About Automation and the Value of Creativity

Automation is causing many workers to rethink which skills will keep them employable. Among creatives, there’s a growing belief that creativity remains a reliable career asset, even as AI and automation change industries.

A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people who see automation as a threat to their job security tend to place greater importance on creativity. The researchers noted, “When people feel that their jobs are threatened by automation or AI, they start to emphasize their creativity more, especially in contexts like job applications.”

How Automation Anxiety Shapes Career Choices

The study involved over 2,300 participants across nine separate studies. It explored how people’s psychological responses to AI influence their career planning. Those exposed to automation threats highlighted creative skills more often than those told their competition was foreign labor.

For example, in one experiment where participants wrote hypothetical cover letters, those primed with automation concerns emphasized creative skills rather than technical or social ones. Science and engineering students exposed to these threats also preferred creative training courses over technical options. Graphic designers showed the same trend.

Importantly, this wasn’t just about how people wanted to appear. Participants showed genuine interest in pursuing education or training related to creativity. They also favored potential employers who promoted a culture of creativity instead of analytical rigor. This suggests that creativity becomes a default focus when the possibility of automation is on the mind.

Creativity Remains Vital, Even Against AI

Even when participants considered generative AI’s creative abilities, they still valued human creativity highly. This points to a strong belief that human creativity will remain essential, even in fields where machines show impressive skills.

Interestingly, while creative skills were consistently valued, social skills like collaboration and communication did not see the same boost. This indicates that people don’t just value whatever AI can’t do—they see creativity as uniquely human and increasingly important in a tech-driven future.

It’s worth noting that most participants were college-educated Americans and the scenarios were hypothetical. The study focused on how people feel about their skills and job prospects in an AI-shaped future, rather than actual job market outcomes.

What Creatives Can Take Away

• Emphasize and develop your creative skills—they are perceived as valuable and somewhat resistant to automation pressures.
• Consider training that enhances creativity, not just technical or social skills.
• Seek work environments that prioritize creative thinking and innovation.
• Stay informed about AI’s capabilities, but remember that human creativity continues to hold unique value.

If you’re interested in expanding your creative skills in the age of AI, exploring relevant courses can be a smart move. Platforms like Complete AI Training offer curated learning paths that blend creativity with AI tools.