Gavin Yarbrough, a content creator and dedicated student at UNC Chapel Hill, effectively leverages AI to enhance both his creativity and productivity. By utilizing AI, he identifies trending topics and ideas for his channels. “I share my top-performing videos and their transcripts with ChatGPT, which then analyzes them for emerging trends,” he explains—a task that would otherwise consume hours of his time. AI also plays a crucial role in his academic life, helping him to create digital flashcards for study purposes, a task that would normally take him about ten hours. “I primarily use AI to carve out more time in my day for productive activities,” he remarks. This freed-up time allows him to engage more deeply in creating original content and pursuing other interests, such as learning Greek and Spanish.
“AI is evolving into a genuine creative partner,” asserts Jeff Snow, Head of Product for the AI Ecosystem at Motorola. He emphasizes that it serves more than just as an automation tool; it can alleviate burdensome tasks, inspire creativity, function as a sounding board, and refine finished content. For the tech-savvy generation, incorporating AI into their daily tasks feels instinctual. A survey conducted by GoTo and Workplace Intelligence reveals that average workers spend approximately 2.6 hours daily on tasks that could be expedited through AI, equating to about 13 hours a week that could be redirected toward hobbies or quality time with loved ones.
Creators today view AI not just as a tool for managing emails, conducting subject research, or handling bookkeeping, but as a means to elevate their creative processes. “Our partners tell us that not only do they gain time and mental bandwidth for projects, but they are also enabled to devote more attention to their vision,” Snow explains.
Young innovators like Yarbrough are reaping the benefits of this technology, enjoying a dual advantage. They are not only using AI to free up creative time but also integrating it into their workflows to efficiently edit photos and videos, brainstorm storyboards, and scripts, thereby driving innovation.
Assign Tasks to AI Intentionally
Shriya Boppana, an MBA student at Duke University with a demanding schedule of classes, an internship, and work as a freelance designer, relies significantly on AI to manage her daily responsibilities. By utilizing tools like ChatGPT and Claude, she saves hours each day by automating mundane tasks—everything from organizing her schedule to finding quick dinner recipes. “I incorporate it into every aspect of my life,” says the 26-year-old.
“Gen Z is transitioning from merely experimenting with AI to expecting it as an integral part of their learning, creating, and working,” notes Snow from Motorola. “In the future, knowing how to effectively prompt AI for everyday tasks will be an essential skill, enabling people to concentrate on what truly matters to them.”
Beyond merely assisting with routine chores, AI serves as a powerful creative catalyst. Boppana shares that her reliance on AI offers not only time savings but also creative opportunities. For her freelance work, she uses AI to streamline her foundational design tasks, such as creating logos, flyers, website updates, and social media content. “I can’t complete all that in a tight timeframe without AI,” she clarifies. “It allows me to conceptualize ideas in seconds, a process that would previously take days.”
“AI shouldn’t disrupt the creative flow; it should support it,” emphasizes Snow. Lenovo’s Personal Ambient Intelligence, known as Qira, is tailored to assist creators without interrupting their workflow. Qira helps in tasks like organizing, transcribing meetings, drafting social posts, and maintaining focus throughout different tasks. “For creators, Lenovo Qira is the ideal partner,” Snow adds. “It adapts to individual working styles and facilitates seamless transitions across Lenovo and Motorola devices.”
A Cognitive Ally, Not a Drain
AI is conserving mental energy, allowing creators to hone in on what interests them most. Boppana notes that by using AI for tedious tasks, she gains both creative freedom and the valuable time needed for mental rejuvenation. “I focus my intellect on what I genuinely want to work on, rather than on what feels obligatory,” she explains.
“AI enhances our efficiency,” states Tilanka Chandrasekera, a professor at Oklahoma State University and director of its Mixed Reality Lab. “It also reduces cognitive strain, promoting awareness of important concerns like mental well-being.” According to a February 2025 survey of 200 IT professionals, 25% of workplaces reported decreased emotional exhaustion following the implementation of AI tools, as these technologies allowed for better workload management.
In essence, AI is not about maximizing cognitive stress or relying solely on machines for thinking; it’s about having AI as a companion in your work and creativity. “When I’m not bogged down by trivial tasks, I can fully engage in what I love, like experimenting with color palettes, devising new social media content, or preparing for my upcoming pageant photo shoot,” Boppana reflects. “That’s where I wish to devote my time.”
Yarbrough echoes this sentiment, stating that without technological assistance in streamlining tasks, he wouldn’t have time for content creation or unleashing his creative abilities. Both he and Boppana exemplify a growing cohort of creators utilizing AI to study more effectively, create more swiftly, and collaborate more effortlessly while exploring new artistic realms. “This marks merely the dawn of AI’s potential for creators,” Snow concludes. “When you merge increased productivity with enhanced creativity, the possibilities are limitless.”
