Why creative workshops are the key to AI-ready teams: A public speaker's perspective

The most forward-thinking companies today aren't just adopting AI tools—they're fundamentally rethinking how to harness human creativity in an AI-driven world. As a public speaker who delivers creative workshops to organisations worldwide, I've witnessed firsthand how businesses are transforming their approach to team development and AI training.

The Creativity Paradox in the Age of AI

Here's a perspective that might surprise you: as an art school creative, I welcome AI with open arms. While image generation improves exponentially and video capabilities become increasingly convincing, the real opportunity lies not in competing with AI, but in amplifying what makes us uniquely human.

During a recent AI panel I hosted, one speaker's words resonated deeply:

"I spent my whole adult life training to be... a computer."

This came from a brilliant professional with advanced mathematics knowledge, analytical skills, and programming abilities. It struck me how many of us have unknowingly built careers around tasks that machines now excel at.

A provocative TIME Magazine cover

This revelation isn't meant to induce anxiety—quite the opposite. It's a call to champion human creativity and lean into what makes us irreplaceable.

Rethinking Team Workshops for the AI Era

The Industrial Revolution taught us to treat employees like cogs in a machine, but that mindset is an expiring hangover effect. Today's most successful companies are discovering that creative workshops and team building activities focused on human-centred skills are essential for thriving alongside AI.

Through my work delivering creative workshops to companies like Soho House, Harvey Nash Group, and Enterprise Nation, I've observed a clear pattern: teams that embrace creativity training outperform those that focus solely on technical AI implementation. These sessions aren't just feel-good exercises—they're strategic investments in your workforce's future.

What Makes Effective AI-Era Team Workshops

The most impactful creative workshops I deliver combine three key elements:

• Human-Centred Problem Solving: Rather than competing with AI's computational power, these sessions focus on developing uniquely human skills like empathy, intuition, and creative problem-solving that AI cannot replicate.

• Collaborative Innovation: Team building activities that encourage diverse thinking and cross-functional collaboration help organizations discover solutions that neither humans nor AI could achieve alone.

• Adaptive Thinking: Creative workshops train teams to be comfortable with ambiguity and change—essential skills as AI continues to evolve the workplace landscape.

The original "computer" - a woman working at NASA performing manual calculations

The Public Speaker's Advantage in AI Training

As organisations navigate this transformation, the role of skilled public speakers and workshop facilitators becomes increasingly valuable. The ability to translate complex concepts into engaging, actionable insights is precisely what teams need to successfully adapt to AI integration.

My approach typically involves 40-minute presentations followed by 20-minute Q&A sessions, or tailored workshop series that allow for deeper exploration of creativity concepts. The goal isn't to fear-monger about AI, but to inspire teams to play games they can win.

Looking Forward: Creativity as Competitive Advantage

The companies that will thrive in our AI-powered future are those that recognize creativity isn't just about artistic expression—it's about innovative thinking, adaptive problem-solving, and the uniquely human ability to find meaning and connection in our work.

As we continue to integrate AI into our professional lives, investing in creative workshops and team building isn't just beneficial—it's essential. The question isn't whether AI will change how we work, but whether we'll be ready to harness our distinctly human advantages when it does.

Interested in getting the best out of your teams? Contact me for enquiries.

Ready to transform your team's relationship with creativity and AI? The future belongs to organisations that can blend technological capability with human ingenuity—and that transformation starts with the right training approach.