Meet the Adobe Creative Collective: The “Council of Elders” for AI (2026)
We have spent the last two years talking about tools.
- “How do I use Firefly?”
- “What is the best prompt for Midjourney?”
- “Is AI going to take my job?”
But we haven’t spent nearly enough time talking about the philosophy of what comes next.
When the tools change this fast, who decides the rules? Who figures out the ethics? Who teaches us how to stay human in a world of algorithms?
Yesterday (February 3), Adobe gave us their answer.
They introduced the Adobe Creative Collective. Think of it as a “Council of Elders” for the modern creative age.
They have hand-picked 8 of the most visionary minds in design, photography, and tech, including legends like Stefan Sagmeister and Scott Belsky, to help steer the ship.
This isn’t just a marketing stunt. It is a signal about where the industry is going.
Who Is In The Room? (And Why It Matters)
The list of founding members is fascinating because it blends the “Old Guard” of pure design with the “New Guard” of creative tech.
Here are a few names that caught my eye and what they represent:
1. The Legend: Stefan Sagmeister
If you went to design school, you know Sagmeister. He is the master of “human” design, emotional, tactile, provocative.
- Why he is here: To remind us that AI needs a soul. He is the check against everything becoming generic “content slop.”
2. The Futurist: Don Allen Stevenson III
Don works at the bleeding edge where AR, AI, and reality blur.
- Why he is here: To show us what is possible. He represents the “Hybrid Creator” who uses code as much as a paintbrush.
3. The Architect: Scott Belsky
The founder of Behance and the former Chief Strategy Officer at Adobe.
- Why he is here: He understands the business of creativity better than almost anyone. He is focused on attribution, credit, and how we actually get paid in an AI world.
4. The Viral Director: Karen X Cheng
She makes the videos that stop your scroll. She is the queen of “platform-native” storytelling.
- Why she is here: To ensure these tools actually work for the speed of social media.
What This Means for You
Why should you care about a group of famous creatives sitting in a room?
Because guidance is the new currency.
In 2026, access to tools is no longer the barrier. Everyone has the same “Generate” button. The barrier is taste, vision, and ethics.
The Creative Collective is tasked with sharing playbooks, insights, and “real-world experiences” on navigating this shift. They are bringing back the 99U Conference this June in NYC (a legendary event that I have missed dearly) to bring these conversations to the stage.
My Take: The “Human” Premium
This announcement validates a theory I have held for a long time: As AI gets better, human perspective gets more valuable.
Adobe isn’t just doubling down on algorithms; they are doubling down on people. They know that the future isn’t just about “prompting”, it’s about directing.
Adler, Baum, Tadder, Eisenberg… these people aren’t successful because they are good at software. They are successful because they have a Point of View.
That is the lesson here. Use the AI, yes. Master the tools, absolutely. But do not lose your voice. Because that is the one thing the algorithm cannot generate.
What’s Next:
- Watch: The 99U Conference returns June 4, 2026.
- Follow: Keep an eye on the “Practical Community Resources” Adobe plans to release. These will likely be the roadmaps we all need.
- Join: You can sign up for updates from the Collective here.
