In the 1990s, when “quality” was the buzzword, it was said, “Quality is like a ghost – everyone talks about it, but no one has seen it.” The same could be said about Artificial Intelligence (AI) today. While it’s a frequent topic of conversation, few truly understand what it entails or the impact it will have. The stock market, which often dictates the future of business, was recently shaken when it placed its bets on a single chip company, only to be outperformed by a tiny competitor. Despite this uncertainty, nearly all IT giants are pouring billions into AI without knowing the outcomes. It’s as if everyone is fascinated and fearful of it, like a ghost. Recently, two ads have sparked thoughts about the effects and implications of AI.

1. The 5-Star Ad: This ad encourages students to join “Nothing University by 5 Star,” suggesting that there’s no need to study any subject or earn a degree since AI will eventually do the work that typically follows years of learning. Whether the ad successfully boosted brand awareness is unclear, but it certainly reflects the fear of many: If AI takes over everything, what will be left for us? There are no studies to pursue or jobs to aspire to—just a future dictated by AI. This is a misconception about the impact of AI. The advertisement is a satire and a follow-up to their earlier “Do Nothing” campaign.

We gain a different perspective when we watch the next advertisement.

2. The “Dinomukku” Ad is a mock documentary set on a fictional dinosaur farm in Palakkad, Kerala. This 1-minute-and-18-second video ends with a cheeky note: “For more information on Dinomukku, contact Storytellers Union,” followed by a revelation that all the visuals were created using AI. The concept was conceived, and the storyboard and script were written down by a team of brilliant human beings. This clever ad promoting Storytellers Union sparked a massive online stir, with numerous inquiries flooding in.

Storytellers Union, as they describe themselves in their portfolio, isn’t just another advertising agency. They call themselves a “Creative Engine and Media House Production House.” Their mission is to create limitless visuals and experiences for brands, agencies, and marketers. In the digital age, they note, everything from the big screen to our phone screens is “content.” Their diverse team of creators, technicians, research experts, and marketers work together to deliver the best in content production, utilizing cutting-edge extended reality technologies. Their flexible budget plans cater to anyone eager to tell a story.

When we see AI-generated visuals, we should remember the human brain that designed and prompted the AI by providing intricate details. AI is simply a tool to bring ideas to life. As we embrace AI, the significance of human creativity becomes even more important. There’s no replacement for the creative human mind—even AI cannot replicate that.

What it means: The rise of AI is reminding us that humans are not meant for repetitive tasks. Each industrial revolution has pushed humanity to new heights, and now we find ourselves in the age of creativity. AI is helping us focus on this very realm, though we are not fully prepared for it yet. We are living in the “orange economy,” a time driven by creativity and innovation.

Unfortunately, our education system is still not preparing students for this shift. In fact, Bloom’s Taxonomy, the foundation of the education system, has been updated to place creativity at the highest level; however, we continue to follow the older model.

The emergence of AI should serve as a catalyst, urging us to embrace creativity and prioritize it in the way we educate and evolve.