# The Imagination Era: Why creativity matters more than ever in the age of AI

> Source: <https://www.fastcompany.com/91569949/the-imagination-era-why-creativity-matters-more-than-ever-in-the-age-of-ai>
> Published: 2026-07-08 13:00:00+00:00

We are entering what the creativity strategist Natalie Nixon calls the Imagination Era, a moment when ideas, curiosity, and new ways of thinking matter more than ever. As [artificial intelligence](https://www.fastcompany.com/section/artificial-intelligence) accelerates, leaders face a critical question: How can they treat AI as a creative partner rather than a replacement for human thinking?

In this Fast Company Live conversation, Natalie Nixon, PhD, founder of Figure 8 Thinking and creator of the WonderRigor™ method, joins *Fast Company *senior editor Jon Gluck to explore how leaders can pair innovation with humanity.

Drawing from the upcoming second edition of her book, *The Creativity Leap*, Nixon examines how leaders can use wonder as a strategic advantage and unlock creativity at every level of their organizations. She provides practical insights for executives and managers navigating the future of work.