The art of being human: Creativity's role in the 'intelligent age'

While AI, digital tools and algorithmic processes enable new forms of artistic expression, they also highlight the unique value of human intuition, emotion and imagination. In this evolving landscape, the role of the artist is not just to create, but to curate, challenge and give meaning to the data-driven world around them.

As automation and digital innovations reshape industries, there is also a necessity to safeguard and nurture handcrafts and human creativity. Preserving traditional craftsmanship and artistic expression ensures that we maintain a connection to our cultural heritage. Balancing technological advancements with the rich tapestry of human creativity will lead to a more diverse and resilient future.

The exhibitions on display at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 place a spotlight on social justice, gender equity, environmental activism and the boundless potential of human-machine collaboration and creativity. They pose questions such as: How do we preserve the intrinsic value of the human touch in a world that prizes efficiency? How can we use AI as a tool for expansion, not replacement, of human creativity? And, importantly, how do we ensure that the arts remain a reflection of humanity’s most intimate thoughts, struggles and joys, even as technology reshapes the landscape?

Technology is racing ahead, but the fight for gender equity is stuck in slow motion. The stark disparity in investment between tech research and development and initiatives for gender equity reveals a systemic undervaluation of diverse perspectives. While billions flow into advancing technology, efforts to ensure equal opportunities for women and marginalized groups lag far behind, perpetuating a cycle of inequality that stifles innovation and limits the potential of our society.

The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Gender Gap Report warns it could take an astonishing 134 years to close the global gender gap at the current rate — a timeline that starkly contrasts with technological innovation.

Work in Progress, co-created by artists Jann Haworth and Liberty Blake, is a vibrant tribute to women’s impact on global cultural development. Commissioned by the Forum, this piece features eight panels showcasing 150 women — both historical and contemporary — who have advanced gender equity. The portraits were created in workshops led by Haworth and Blake where participants painted stenciled images of women who inspired them.

By promoting gender parity, we unlock creativity and prosperity, paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative future where all are equally empowered.

As we move further into a digital age, handcrafted art serves as a reminder of the value of human intuition, craftsmanship and the stories that only a human artist can tell, making it essential in preserving the authenticity of artistic expression.

A Life Interrupted is an exhibition by 2024 Frieze Los Angeles Impact Prize recipient Gary Tyler. It delves deeply into the themes of social justice, addressing the systemic inequities that permeate society.

Tyler's work is at once simple and complex. He uses a variety of decoupage styles and techniques and various fabrics to fashion his portraitures on quilts. This time-honoured craft of quilting combines intricate design, personal storytelling and tactile artistry, reflecting both tradition and innovation.

Through his use of mixed media, symbolic visuals and thought-provoking narratives, this exhibition serves as a catalyst for reflection and dialogue, asking fundamental questions: How do we address the legacies of injustice? What does true equality look like? And, most importantly, how can art be a vehicle for change in the pursuit of social justice?

Human beings have an inherent need to connect with nature, which nurtures our physical and emotional well-being. However, as technology increasingly distracts us and pulls us away from the natural world, the urgency to protect our environment becomes ever more pressing. We must reclaim our connection to nature before it slips further from our grasp.

Through a series of captivating images and personal narratives, from a journey spanning over 120 countries and every continent, visionary photographer, marine biologist and avid conservationist Cristina Mittermeier navigates the intricate relationship between humans and nature in her immersive exhibition HOPE.

Blending breathtaking photography with urgent storytelling, HOPE is a powerful counter-narrative to hyper-consumerism and environmental exploitation, showcasing global unity in environmental stewardship. It reminds us that we all are part of the same humanity and that, despite everything that separates us and divides us, we have, deep within us, the desire for interaction, peace and harmony.

In sharp contrast, the human-machine collaboration has become a transformative force across creative, scientific and industrial fields. Machines, particularly through AI and advanced algorithms, enhance human capabilities by processing vast amounts of data, identifying patterns and generating ideas that can inspire new forms of creativity. Extending beyond mere tools; machines are now co-creators, assisting in art, music, design and problem-solving.

Sougwen Chung's art installation “Spectral” explores the intersection of human creativity and AI, merging traditional drawing techniques with AI-generated elements.

In “Spectral”, Chung collaborates with machine learning algorithms to create fluid, ethereal compositions that blur the boundaries between organic and artificial forms. By intertwining the spontaneous, intuitive nature of human artmaking with the precision of AI, “Spectral” questions the evolving role of the artist in a technologically advanced world, highlighting the potential for harmony between human and machine intelligence.

At its core, the fusion of technology and human creativity magnifies the power of art to bridge divides, provoke introspection and drive societal change. In an age where information is abundant but often detached from human experience, the arts remain uniquely positioned to breathe life into abstract concepts, making complex issues like social justice, gender equity and environmental sustainability resonate on a deeply personal level.

As artists harness the tools of the intelligent age, they not only reflect the challenges of the world but also imagine transformative solutions, empowering audiences to participate in shaping a more just, equitable and sustainable future.

As technology accelerates the flow of information and expands artistic possibilities, the arts become a crucial platform for raising awareness and inspiring action on the pressing issues of our time. Through the lens of AI, immersive installations, digital media and virtual experiences, artists can highlight the complexities of social justice, portraying the struggles and triumphs of marginalized communities, amplifying voices historically silenced and creating empathy and solidarity across borders.

The intelligent age offers vast potential for artistic expansion, but it also requires a vigilant defence of the qualities that make human creation profound. Unlike algorithms, which calculate outcomes based on data, human creativity emerges from a place of vulnerability, identity and lived experience. It draws from the ineffable, the dreams, contradictions and uncertainties that shape us. It is through this complexity that we find connection, empathy and deeper understanding.