Amalgamating generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), Bloom's taxonomy and critical thinking present a promising avenue to revolutionize assessment pedagogy and foster higher-order cognitive skills needed for learning autonomy in the domain of self-directed learning. Gen AI, a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), has emerged as a frontrunner in creative tasks, revolutionizing various domains such as art, music, writing and design and showcasing its ability to generate original content across various domains, including education. Incorporating social, cultural, economic and pedagogical dimensions, AI in education encompasses the incorporation of AI technologies like intelligent tutoring systems, chatbots, robots, learning analytics dashboards, adaptive learning systems and automated assessment to bolster and elevate the educational process. The significance of the impact on the creativity component of Krathwohl's revised Bloom's taxonomy arises from the utilization of Gen AI in creative tasks, which prompts concerns regarding the authenticity and originality of AI-generated content. This conceptual research study seeks to investigate the affordances of this amalgamation and aims to reframe the higher cognitive levels of Bloom's taxonomy to enhance critical thinking and self-directed learning among students. This study grounds the reader in the existing literature and sets a course for where research in this field should be heading, thus adding value, rather than only providing an overview of the literature. The overall aim of this research was to explore the affordances of the amalgamation of AI, Bloom's taxonomy and critical thinking to support assessment pedagogy for self-directed learning. This paper identifies the gap in the current literature about reconceptualizing assessment pedagogy for developing higher-order thinking skills in a Gen AI higher education landscape. This paper presents a case of revisiting Bloom's taxonomy, advocating the importance of AI fluency and assessment literacy for the development of critical thinking skills and self-directed learning.