More evenly distributed - Impact of AI on creative industries

Week ending 08 March 2024

Signals from the future:

Emerging trends that are likely to drive changes to the way we live, work and do business.

• China’s Impressive Rate of Nuclear Construction - Breakthrough Insititute - China's efficient nuclear plant construction challenges perceptions, showcasing rapid development and strategic energy policy support for nuclear power's role in clean energy mix.
• Europe's largest 3D-printed building rises in just 140 hours - New Atlas - Revolutionising construction with eco-friendly 3D printing, reducing CO2 emissions and pushing for automation in the industry worldwide.
• Your surgeon, a robot, will see you soon - Humanity Redefined - Robotic surgery promises precision and efficiency, but faces challenges like cost and scepticism. Future adoption hinges on research and education efforts.
• Here are 12 electric VTOL's that have actually flown - ElectricBike.com - Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are poised to revolutionise short-range aviation with quieter operation, longer maintenance intervals, and advancements in battery technology.
• Glassdoor is closing its final remaining offices in Chicago and San Francisco as it goes fully remote - Fortune - Embracing remote work for productivity and talent diversity, Glassdoor shifts to a fully remote model while prioritising occasional in-person collaboration for a balanced approach.
• A promising leap towards computers with light-speed capabilities. Scientists have created a reprogrammable light-based processor, a world-first, that they say could usher in a new era of quantum computing and communication. - RMIT - Unlocking quantum computing's potential with light-based processors for faster, more secure solutions, while innovating DNA modification and advanced materials for medical and aerospace applications.
• Are Next-Gen Synthetic Fibers the Future of Sustainable Textiles? - Modern Farmer - Innovative synthetic fibres offer eco-friendly solutions to fashion's sustainability challenges, emphasising the need for conscious consumer habits and industry shifts.
• These companies tried a 4-day workweek. More than a year in, they still love it - NPR - Embracing a four-day workweek leads to enhanced well-being, work-life balance, and job satisfaction, proving its long-term viability for businesses.

Focus Issue: The impact of AI on creative industries

The creative industries in Australia and worldwide are at an interesting moment, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as both a catalyst for innovation and a source of contention. A panel hosted by the Australia Council for the Arts delved into AI's role in the arts, highlighting its potential to automate tasks and enhance creativity while also raising concerns about originality and job loss. This dual nature of AI reflects the broader conversation happening across the creative sector, from Hollywood to local art studios.

AI's impact on creativity and job dynamics is further underscored by the Hollywood strikes, which have set the stage for AI negotiations in every creative industry. The deal reached by the Writers Guild of America, allowing voluntary AI use, signals a shift towards integrating AI into creative processes without compromising human authorship. This development points to a future where AI could be a tool for enhancing creativity rather than a threat to employment.

Amidst these changes, Australian creators have welcomed the establishment of a Copyright and AI reference group by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. This move underscores the importance of clear guidelines to prevent unauthorised copying of intellectual property by generative AI platforms, ensuring that AI supports a new era of creativity while respecting creators' rights.

The conversation around AI in the creative industries is not just about copyright and job security; it's also about the potential for AI to democratise creativity. Platforms are generating art from textual prompts, sparking debates around creativity and the future of artistic originality. This democratisation of art creation, facilitated by AI, could lead to a more inclusive and diverse creative landscape.

However, the integration of AI into the creative process is not without its challenges. A survey by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) revealed concerns among artists about the impact of AI on their work, including copyright, privacy, and the environmental impact of AI technologies. These concerns highlight the need for a balanced approach to AI integration, ensuring that it supports rather than undermines the creative industry.

The future of AI in the creative industries is also shaped by broader business strategic trends, such as digital transformation, customer experience, and data-driven decision-making. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into creative processes and business strategies will likely become more nuanced, focusing on enhancing human creativity and ensuring ethical and sustainable use. This evolution suggests a future where AI is a partner in the creative process, offering new possibilities for innovation and expression while navigating the complexities of copyright, ethics, and employment.

Consider these strategic insights:

• Embrace collaborative AI integration: Businesses should seek to integrate AI into their creative processes by collaborating with artists and technologists. Encourage cross-disciplinary teams to explore how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity.
• Invest in ethical AI education: Provide training for employees on the ethical implications of AI in the creative industries. Understanding the balance between innovation and intellectual property rights will be critical for sustainable business practices.
• Develop AI literacy programs: Initiate programs to educate creators and stakeholders on AI capabilities and limitations. This will empower them to use AI tools effectively, make informed decisions, and mitigate fears of job displacement.
• Create AI ethical guidelines: Establish clear ethical guidelines and best practices for AI use that respect copyright and protect the rights of creators. This will help foster trust and ensure compliance with industry standards.
• Pioneer sustainable AI solutions: Encourage investment in AI technologies that are environmentally sustainable and address concerns about the carbon footprint of AI operations in the creative sector.

Deep strategy:

Longer form articles rich with insights:

• A generative AI reset: Rewiring to turn potential into value in 2024 - McKinsey & Company - Embracing strategic gen AI integration through organisational changes, skill development, and data optimisation is crucial for businesses to gain a competitive edge.
• Type 2 Growth - The Technium - Embracing Type 2 Growth (in maturity, not in scale) in technology fosters sustainable progress, balancing innovation with environmental harmony for a promising future.
• How to Actually Execute Change at a Company - Harvard Business Review - Effective communication, resource accessibility, goal alignment, and strategic measurement are crucial for successful change initiatives in companies, maximising planned value realisation.

Business at the point of impact:

Emerging issues and technology trends can change the way we work and do business.

• An Even More Powerful AI Looms. And Controlled Chaos Is the Key - Forbes - Agentic AI's transformative potential in workforce productivity through managed crowdsourcing, AI integration, and collaborative executive efforts for adapting to employment changes.
• When New Technology Arrives, Who Wins and Who Loses? - Kellogg Insight - Innovative technology impacts wages and employment differently depending on whether it replaces or complements workers, with potential implications for job equality and skill demands.
• Keeping Innovative Projects Aligned with Strategy - MIT Sloan Management Review - Innovative companies are using portfolio teams to align strategic projects with overall goals, ensuring meaningful innovation and long-term success.
• An Employer’s Guide to Supporting Workers with Autism - Harvard Business Review - Unlocking untapped potential in the workforce by embracing neurodiversity and supporting individuals with autism to thrive in suitable roles.
• Businesses' Generative AI Usage Remains Low, Claims MIT Survey - Tech Times - Unlocking AI potential in business requires addressing data quality, privacy, and skill gaps while anticipating broader AI applications and managing workforce automation concerns.
• How AI Could Disrupt Hollywood - New platforms and tools may allow a person to create a feature-length film from their living room. But can they really compete with the studios? - Vanity Fair - AI technology in Hollywood like OpenAI's Sora is poised to democratise content creation, mirroring the music industry's transformation, sparking creativity and raising concerns.
• As Generative AI Shifts Business Strategy, New ServiceNow and Deloitte Outlook Outlines Key Actions for Business Leaders to Drive Value - MarTech Series - Harnessing Generative AI (GenAI) for strategic business growth and competitiveness through modernisation and human-AI synergy, emphasising data protection and industry-specific innovation.
• The Future Of Generative AI: 6 Predictions Everyone Should Know About - Forbes - Generative AI's future promises multi-modal abilities, interactive bots, and transformative applications, with the need for regulation to prevent misuse.
• We must start preparing the US workforce for the effects of AI – now | Steven Greenhouse - The Guardian - Artificial intelligence - Prepare workforce for AI's impact to mitigate job displacement, workplace surveillance. Advocate for collaboration between government, unions, businesses for equitable AI deployment.

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