Applied Creativity – AI, Innovation and You
Overview
Applied Creativity – AI, Innovation and You
Overview
Applied Creativity – AI, Innovation, and You is a dynamic one-hour keynote or a two-hour interactive workshop designed to inspire, engage and practically demonstrate how creative thinking can be combined with artificial intelligence to revolutionise problem-solving within forward-thinking organisations.
A framework for creative thinking, Applied Creativity draws on neuroscience, Synectics and practical AI tools (LLMs & GANs) to help people accelerate their creativity and leaders get more from their teams. This session uses compelling stories and interactive experiences to inspire attendees to overcome creative barriers and drive sustainable innovation.
Why Applied Creativity?
“Our heads are round to allow our thoughts to change direction.” — Francis Picabia
The human brain is the ultimate problem-solving machine. Yet, most fail to use it to its full potential. From the moment we are born, we demonstrate astonishing ability—learning to walk and mastering language—before stepping into a classroom, where, instead of flourishing, we are systematically conditioned to recognise our limitations.
The workplace is no different. How often have you sat in meetings where colleagues compete for the ‘best’ idea, talking past one another rather than listening? Where your ideas are dismissed, innovation is stifled and frustration takes hold.
We have the potential to achieve more, individually and collectively. AI accelerates this potential, but tools alone are not enough. We need a methodology. Applied Creativity provides it.
Example Session Structure
Engaging Opening Story
Relatable storytelling highlighting typical innovation roadblocks in tech organisations.
Introduction to Applied Creativity and AI as powerful problem-solving tools.
Interactive Demonstration
Walk through Applied Creativity methodology that uses group dynamics and AI:
Understanding: Frame problems clearly to identify overlooked perspectives.
Speculation: Demonstrate creative excursions using metaphors and analogies.
Force Fit: Show how unrelated ideas can be creatively combined into actionable viewpoints.
Developing Viewpoints: validating and evaluating ideas towards solutions.
Audience Engagement (proposed)
Invite audience members to select real-time challenges.
Demonstrate where and how to introduce AI can rapidly generate novel ideas to explore.
Inspirational Close
Provide clear, actionable insights and access to practical AI toolkits for immediate application.
Real-World Challenges (two-hour workshop version)
Each attendee is asked to bring a challenge to the session.
The entire cohort is introduced to the Applied Creativity framework.
The cohort is broken down into small groups of 5 to 7 people.
Each selects a challenge to address, and roles and responsibilities are agreed upon.
The groups work through the four-step process (understanding, speculation, force fit, and viewpoints) using LLM (text) and GAN (image generation) AI at key points.
Each group shares what they have learned with the wider cohort.
Benefits of the Session
Practical Innovation: Attendees learn actionable steps that can increase innovation.
Immediate Impact: Demonstrates real-time problem-solving capabilities of human creativity enhanced by AI.
Cultural Transformation: Provides techniques that embed creativity into organisational practices.
Ideal Audience
Tech professionals, innovators, team leaders, startup founders and decision-makers passionate about driving innovative solutions efficiently and sustainably.
Why This Matters for TechNExt 2025
This session aligns perfectly with TechNExt’s vision to champion sustainability through innovation and practical AI. Participants will leave inspired, empowered and equipped to solve their most pressing challenges by fostering a culture of continuous innovation and practical problem-solving.
Speaker/Facilitator
Des Kennedy
An experienced professional in strategic design, communications and organisational development, Des provides expertise to leadership across a diverse range of sectors. A creative consultant, OKR coach and critical thinker, whether helping align organisations with their strategic goals, positioning businesses for success or spearheading innovation, he brings a wealth of knowledge and high-impact contributions to any project he undertakes.
Mobile: 07710 775771
Email: hello@deskennedy.com
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How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk
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