AI anxiety – New research from the Fashion Institute of Technology with The Harris Poll finds that most Americans believe creative careers are undervalued, many cite cost as a barrier, and a majority say AI has made it harder to find work in creative industries—sparking a
On a day when generative tools are changing what “creative work” looks like, many Americans say they feel shut out of the very careers that will define the next era.
A new study by the Fashion Institute of Technology. conducted with The Harris Poll. found that 80% of Americans say creative careers are undervalued. At the same time, 87% say cost prevents talented people from pursuing creative paths. When the conversation turns to technology, 71% say AI has made it harder to find work in creative industries.
Those numbers reflect a real squeeze: interest in creative careers remains strong, but the next generation is dealing with uncertainty about how to build a stable future as creative industries keep evolving.
The study comes as companies and educators grapple with a shift in how creativity is practiced and where it shows up in business. AI is already being used to speed up business processes. including handling repetitive tasks efficiently. crunching numbers. and managing administrative work that would otherwise take hours or even days. Some see potential for AI to assist designers by helping them iterate more quickly and push ideas further.
But the debate is not just about productivity. The uncertainty carries into questions of job security, creative control, ownership, and the possibility of hallucinations—concerns that are shaping how students, families, and employers look at the future of work in creative fields.
In the middle of that tension is a simple argument gaining traction among education leaders: AI may accelerate certain tasks. but it cannot replace imagination. It cannot replicate the human ability to tell stories that resonate emotionally. interpret cultural moments. or produce work that feels genuinely original.
Education. then. is positioned as the bridge between the technology arriving now and the human skills that still set exceptional creative work apart. The survey found that 90% of Americans believe a blend of hands-on education and real-world industry experience is essential for preparing students for modern careers.
The stakes extend far beyond campuses. Creative industries added $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023, accounting for 4.2% of GDP and growing at twice the rate of the broader economy. Fashion alone employs 1.8 million Americans. The economic weight is especially visible in New York. which has long been one of the world’s great creative capitals because of its concentration of talent. ambition. and cultural energy.
Yet the opportunity, according to the message behind the research, is not simply to celebrate creativity. It’s to ensure the systems that support that talent evolve as quickly as the industries do.
That is where the call for a “new blueprint for creative careers” takes shape: if businesses depend on creative skill—and almost every business does—then they have a direct stake in how new talent is developed. The approach proposed includes practical partnerships such as embedding leaders into classrooms. funding co-op models. providing scholarships. and commissioning live projects.
City leaders are also drawn into the conversation. The survey found that 79% of Americans believe cities investing in colleges dedicated to the creative industry will be more successful economically in the future than those that do not. The argument is that creative education can function like economic infrastructure—helping attract talent, drive growth, and build welcoming communities.
Educational institutions, the message continues, have a responsibility to evolve alongside the industry. That means preparing students for rapidly changing creative industries while strengthening critical thinking. adaptability. and cultural fluency—skills employers increasingly value. The strongest creative education is described as connecting learning directly to the real world. so students graduate not only inspired. but prepared.
Still, the research emphasizes that access is the deciding factor for many families. The study notes that many people question the value of a college degree when costs and time feel out of reach. It also argues that not every creative college sits out of range and not every program requires a four-year path.
As an example, tuition at the Fashion Institute of Technology is described as $3,500 a semester for in-state students. The institute also offers flexible learning options, including one, two, and four-year degrees.
The point is not merely affordability—it’s who gets the chance. The students most likely to see no path into creative careers are often the ones with the greatest untapped talent. They bring fresh perspectives. cultural insight. and originality that no algorithm can replicate. the argument goes—talent that every brand. city. and economy increasingly depends on.
Jason Schupbach. president of the Fashion Institute of Technology. frames the commitment in personal terms. saying he would not be in his position without access to education and describing a daily view of how many more lives could change with the same opportunity. His focus is straightforward: open as many doors as possible so the next generation of creative talent can not only participate in the future. but help define it.
Fashion Institute of Technology The Harris Poll creative careers AI jobs creative education cost of college New York creative economy co-op models scholarships in-state tuition
So basically AI is ruining artists jobs? figures.
I kinda get it, like if creative careers are undervalued already, then AI just makes it worse. But 87% cost prevents people… yeah cause everything is expensive now. Don’t know how any of this helps the average person though.
Wait I thought AI was being used by companies to help designers, like faster ideas, not take work away. The article says both so which is it? Also “AI has made it harder to find work” could just mean people are applying more, not that AI is the cause.
Man this sounds like the same fear every tech wave brings. Like first it was Photoshop, then the internet, now AI. I’m sorry but if someone can’t get a job because they used AI once… that’s on the industry not the tool. Also the survey is Fashion Institute of Technology like… of course they’d be nervous lol.