Is Human Creativity Artificial?
What Generative AI reveals—and rewrites—about how we create.
If machines can create art, write code, and generate ideas—what’s left for us?
Creativity was once our exclusive domain—something messy, magical, and deeply human. But now, generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and others are performing what we long believed only human minds could do.
So: Is this the end of creativity as we know it—or the beginning of something bigger?
In this provocative keynote, Mario Van der Meulen explores the evolution of creativity from a uniquely human expression to a shared frontier between humans and machines. Blending cultural history, design leadership, and artistic provocation, he challenges the myths we hold about originality—and asks whether AI is not just copying creativity, but helping us remember what it truly is.
What This Talk Covers
Why creativity has never been pure originality (and that’s not a bad thing)
What generative AI is teaching us about the nature—and future—of creative work
How to harness AI not as a shortcut, but as a creative sparring partner
Where human ingenuity still reigns (and how to preserve it)
A new framework for “creative leadership” in an AI-assisted world
Audience Takeaways
Redefine creativity in the age of AI—without losing soul, depth, or agency
Reconnect with craft—what it means to create with machines, not against them
Reclaim meaning—distinguish between expression, productivity, and art
Respond with confidence—as a leader, educator, creative, or technologist
Reviews & Reactions
“A mind-bending keynote. Mario doesn’t lecture—he rewires how you see creativity.”
— Head of Innovation, Tech & Culture Conference, Berlin
“The most human talk on AI I’ve heard yet. I left not threatened, but inspired.”
— Design Educator, Tokyo University
“If you think ChatGPT is replacing your creativity—you need this talk. It reminded me what can’t be automated.”
— Creative Director, Fortune 100 Brand
Who It’s For
Designers, creators, and educators navigating generative tools
Innovation leads, R&D teams, and leadership groups grappling with creative AI
Anyone who believes creativity is still worth defending—and redefining
Format Options
Keynote (45–60 minutes)
Panel + Fireside Customization
Executive Roundtable or University Lecture Format
Author
mvdm
Mario Van der Meulen is a design executive, author, and international speaker known for helping leaders unlock meaningful innovation through human-centered design. With global experience across sectors, he brings depth, clarity, and provocation to every stage.
