A Generation at Risk? Creativity, PISA 2022, and the Demands of an AI Economy and Society in 2025

A Generation at Risk? Creativity, PISA 2022, and the Demands of an AI Economy and Society in 2025 Ewan Simpson, PhD Narxoz Business School October 1 2025 Abstract Debates on the future of work emphasize creativity as a key skill, yet education systems often fail to deliver it at scale. Drawing on PISA 2022 data, we construct cross-domain indices to compare creativity outcomes with mathematics, reading, and science. Results show creativity scores are not only lower but also more widely dispersed across countries, highlighting a gap between policy rhetoric and classroom reality. In 2025, this gap is especially urgent: rapid AI growth coincides with the 2022 PISA cohort (now 18-19 years old) entering university and the workforce. Our analysis suggests most education systems are underprepared. We conclude by outlining practical steps for embedding creativity into curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. Keywords: Creative Thinking; PISA; AI; Artificial Intelligence; Education; Curriculum; Assessment