Artificial and Creative Intelligence

Artificial and Creative Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a buzz word, and a growth area.

Key points explored

What are the key skills employers are looking for?

What are the key thinking operations for learning and problem-solving?

Has artificial intelligence replaced creative thinking skills?


What are the key skills employers are looking for?

Creativity was the number one most import soft skill employers were looking for according to a 2019 LinkedIn survey. It is interesting to note that between 2015 and 2020, creativity has moved up from position 10 to position 3 in LinkedIn surveys of "top skills for the future". The top skills that beat creativity were complex problem-solving at number 1, and critical thinking at number 2. Creativity was listed the most important skill in several other surveys in 2021 and 2022.

Since then has artificial intelligence overtaken creative intelligence?

Change in creativity as top 10 skills between 2015 and 2020



What are the key thinking operations for learning and problem-solving?

The 6 key thinking operations

In his Mindspring Theory, George Prince - founder of Synectics - stated that there are 6 thinking operations that are key to learning and problem-solving.

They are

  • Storing
  • Imagining
  • Retrieving
  • Wishing
  • Comparing
  • Transforming

These thinking operations are often also present in children, who are masters both of learning and creativity, well as in those who are very good at solving problems creatively. However, according to Prince 3 of these thinking operations diminish as children grow into adulthood. These are imagining, wishing, and transforming - often also associated with creativity.

The 6 thinking operations for learning and problem-solving


Has artificial intelligence replaced creative thinking skills?

In my mind no.

Consider the 6 thinking operations from Prince's Mindspring theory; the interesting thing is that the 3 skills we retain as we grow into adulthood are storing, retrieving and comparing information. These are the skills the artificial intelligence can do really well, as it is based on existing information. AI is a tool that can increase our efficiency in the seas of information.


The skills that we lose, but really need to cultivate for creativity, learning and problem-solving are imagining, wishing and transforming. These are skills that help to find unique solutions to complex problems and new concepts that never existed before, or to envision things for the uncertainties of the future. The very skills companies are looking for.

But more than that, creative thinking brings a sense of lightness, joy, learning in a way we cannot achieve through artificial intelligence. AI is here to stay. Yet it will be so much more powerful when combined with the sweet skills of imagining, wishing and transforming. The skills that grow creative intelligence.


We love to make creative intelligence easy.

Find more on www.synnovation.co.za

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