Duncan Wardle on the future of innovation
As CES prepares to showcase A.I creativity, the latest in technology, artificial intelligence (A.I.) takes centre stage. A.I. is not just transforming industries but also redefining how we approach creativity and innovation.
Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation and creativity at Disney, is at the forefront of this movement. With over two decades of experience and his groundbreaking book, The Imagination Emporium™: Creative Recipes for Innovation, Duncan is now introducing brAIn, a new A.I. tool designed to empower creativity.
What is brAIn and AI Creativity?
brAIn is an intuitive A.I. tool that provides quick tips, book insights, and creative boosters whenever you need them. It’s part of Duncan’s mission to embed innovation into company cultures and inspire organisations to rethink problem-solving.
“brAIn makes innovation less intimidating and creativity accessible, even for those uncomfortable with ambiguity,” Duncan explains. “It also makes the process fun.”
Explore brAIn and The Imagination Emporium at theimaginationemporium.com.
The future of employable skills
According to Duncan, the most valuable skills in 2025 will be the hardest for A.I. to replicate.
“Imagination, creativity, intuition, curiosity, and empathy will dominate,” he says. “We’ve always had these skills, but we were told they weren’t important. In the future, they will be critical.”
These innate abilities are not just essential but will also give individuals and organisations a competitive edge in an A.I.-driven world.
Overcoming the “I don’t have time to think” barrier
Time constraints are one of the biggest hurdles to creativity in the workplace. Duncan believes A.I. can solve this issue.
“A.I. tools like brAIn streamline processes, making innovation achievable even for busy teams,” he says.
By integrating A.I., organisations can unlock time for strategic thinking and creative exploration.
Unlocking imagination with creative recipes and A.I. creativity
Duncan shares three of his favourite creative “recipes” for innovation:
- Reframe the problem: Approach challenges from different perspectives to discover unexpected solutions.
- Break the rules: Challenge assumptions and explore unconventional ideas.
- Think like a child: Embrace curiosity and wonder to uncover fresh opportunities.
He also highlights four elements to unlock imagination: curiosity, courage, collaboration, and consistency.
A.I. creativity in 2025
As A.I. continues to evolve, its role in creativity will grow. Duncan sees tools like brAIn as a way to make innovation tangible and engaging.
By blending human imagination with A.I. capabilities, individuals and organisations can achieve revolutionary results.
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