Skilling for what’s next: empowering creativity in the age of AI
The way we work is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is transforming how we create, communicate, and collaborate — unlocking new levels of productivity and reshaping workplace expectations. But thriving in this era requires more than technical know-how — it demands fluency, adaptability, and creativity.
At Adobe, we believe AI should amplify human potential. Creativity is a powerful driver of confidence, career growth, and economic mobility. Access to this shouldn’t depend on where you live, who you know, or your starting resources.
This belief inspired the Adobe Digital Academy — a commitment to helping people everywhere build creative, digital, and AI skills that open doors. Our mission is simple: to give everyone the confidence and opportunity to advance their careers and their creativity.
In the age of AI, what sets people apart isn’t the technology itself — it’s the creativity and talent they bring to using it.
The future of work is here — and skills are the new currency
The future is rewriting how we work. It’s not about keeping up but moving forward with purpose. A recent Adobe survey of Gen Z students and hiring managers in the U.S. revealed:
- Shifting expectations: 73 percent say creative and visual skills are now expected at work or school, with 84 percent noting these expectations have risen in the last three years
- Creativity leads: 46 percent identified creativity as the top skill for advancement
- Confidence grows with learning: 50 percent feel more capable after upskilling
- Certificates matter: 92 percent of hiring managers value digital certificates as much as transcripts, and 85 percent value digital badges.
The message is clear: AI skills are the new currency of hiring. Creative fluency and AI literacy make people more attractive to employers. That’s where Adobe Digital Academy comes in.
Building a more capable workforce
Adobe Digital Academy helps learners access tools to build confidence, creativity, and marketable skills. Whether pursuing formal certifications or micro-lessons, the program meets learners where they are.
We’ve expanded Digital Academy into a global learning ecosystem with hands-on courses, certificates, and bite-sized lessons through platforms like:
- Coursera: Offers co-branded certificates, college credits, and six months of free Behance Pro access for learners who complete courses and specializations. Courses average a 4.8/5 rating, with thousands earning certifications.
- LinkedIn Learning: Provides micro-credentials and digital badges to bridge learning and career advancement.
- YouTube: Features practical, bite-sized lessons on topics like Gen AI Content Creation and Design Fundamentals with AI, with new content added monthly.
Courses cover AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, Adobe Firefly workflows, visual storytelling, portfolio-building, brand strategy, and more — helping learners stand out.
Skilling at scale, with purpose
Equity and access are foundational to our work. While AI accelerates opportunity, it can also widen inequities for those without access. That’s why we’re deepening investments in communities and youth through partnerships like:
- Girl Scouts of the USA: Helping girls build creative and digital marketing skills as the national sponsor of the 2026 Cookie Season.
- UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited: Providing free, job-relevant creative and digital skills training to young people in India, through Generation Unlimited’s Passport to Earning program.
These anchor partners join BUILD.org, DECA, Pratham, NPower, The King’s Trust, General Assembly, AVID, and NASSCOM, extending access and opening doors for the next generation of creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
We’re on track to reach 1 million learners by the end of 2025, with a goal of impacting 30 million by 2030. Building on a decade of impact through our Digital Academy Apprenticeship Program — which has helped over 180 apprentices launch careers — we’re expanding partnerships with nonprofits, community colleges, and workforce organizations to support diverse learners. Nearly 70 percent of program alumni reported increased income after completing the program.
Our goal is not just to prepare people for what’s next but to empower them to shape it. By opening doors to creativity, education, and opportunity, we’re building a future that reflects all of us.