TLDR: A new report from Adobe reveals that 86% of global creators are now actively utilizing creative generative AI tools, significantly accelerating business growth and content production within the burgeoning creator economy. The study, based on a survey of over 16,000 creators, underscores AI’s transformative role, though it primarily focused on emerging and semi-professional social media content creators.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – October 29, 2025 – The landscape of content creation is undergoing a profound transformation, with artificial intelligence emerging as an indispensable tool for a vast majority of global creators. According to Adobe’s inaugural ‘Creators’ Toolkit Report,’ released at the annual Adobe MAX conference, a striking 86 percent of creators worldwide are now leveraging creative generative AI in their work.
The comprehensive report, which surveyed over 16,000 emerging and semi-professional content creators across eight countries including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, India, and Australia, paints a clear picture of AI’s pervasive influence. The findings indicate that AI is not merely a trend but a fundamental component of the creative workflow, significantly contributing to the growth and dynamism of the creator economy.
Key statistics from the report highlight AI’s tangible benefits: 76 percent of respondents reported that creative generative AI has accelerated the growth of their business or follower base. Furthermore, 81 percent stated that the technology enables them to produce content they otherwise couldn’t have made. A substantial 85 percent of creators believe that AI positively impacts the creator economy, signaling its potential to empower small businesses and individual creators in a competitive digital environment.
Mike Polner, Vice President and Head of Product Marketing for Creators at Adobe, emphasized the intentional adoption of these tools. “Creators today aren’t passively using creative generative AI, they’re intentionally curating the tools they trust,” Polner stated. This sentiment reflects a strategic integration of AI to enhance creative processes and foster business expansion.
The report also detailed the primary applications of creative generative AI among creators. The top uses include editing, upscaling, and enhancing existing content (55 percent); generating new assets such as images and videos (52 percent); and ideation and brainstorming (48 percent). Notably, 60 percent of creators reported using multiple AI tools, driven by desires for improved output quality, experimentation with diverse capabilities, and matching specific tools to particular tasks.
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While the report showcases widespread adoption, it’s important to note the survey’s demographic focus on ’emerging and semi-professional’ social media content creators. This distinction suggests that the 86% figure might vary if a broader spectrum of full-time creative industry professionals were included. Despite this, the report underscores a clear desire among creators for human-in-the-loop experiences, where AI augments workflows while creative control remains firmly with the user. Looking ahead, 85 percent of creators expressed willingness to use an AI agent that learns their creative style, pointing towards the next wave of AI adoption focused on personalized assistance and enhanced efficiency.
