This paper investigates the disruptive power of extended reality (XR) technologies, synergistically combined with artificial intelligence (AI), on creative art and design education in South Africa. Informed by an integrative literature review and insights derived from research conducted for the EU-funded Metaverse Academy Project with students and industry representatives, this study demonstrates how these technologies are altering established paradigms within artistic practice and design methodologies. Approached from an Actor-Network-Theory perspective and Social Disruptive Technologies framework, the analysis underscores the creation of new market opportunities for art and design professionals within the burgeoning XR industry, requiring the adaptation of traditional art and design curricula. Furthermore, the paper critically explores how virtual classrooms, powered by XR, are dismantling the spatial constraints of conventional educational settings, enabling innovative pedagogical approaches. The democratisation of access to education, however, remains fraught. By focusing on the transformative convergence of XR and AI, this research highlights the shift these technologies represent for the future of creative education in South Africa, emphasising the imperative for educators and institutions to embrace these advancements to equip students for a rapidly evolving creative economy.