One million new jobs are coming to the UK creative industry
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New funding for creative start-ups to scale up will help turn entrepreneurs into business leaders.
Creatives, much like those in other industries, are worried about the effects generative AI could have on their careers.
Harvard Business Review (HBR) says that the “creator economy” is currently valued at around $14 billion per year, and it is worth noting that technology has significantly increased the access that artists, musicians, and writers now have to earn money.
Tech platforms such as Substack, Patreon, Flipboard and Steemitand give creatives new ways to monetise their talents. But worries abound that generative AI tools, which include graphics generator Midjourney and ChatGPT, may work to remove those gains.
With the current versions of generative platforms in their infancy (and many still in a beta trial phase), it’s way too soon to call it, despite a recent report from Goldman Sachs which suggests that generative AI has the potential to automate 26% of work tasks in the arts, design, entertainment, media and sports sectors.
What is clear is that there is a lot more to come from generative AI tools in terms of their potential. Already, according to HBR, generative AI has advanced capabilities across a broad range of creative content used in the marketing industry.
A tool called Jasper “can produce blogs, social media posts, web copy, sales emails, ads and other types of customer-facing content”, the report states. And major food manufacturers, such as Heinz and Nestle, have already used AI-generated content in advertising campaigns, most notably Heinz’s DALL-E 2-generated ketchup bottles.
Government plans
But there is no need to throw in the towel––just yet. Last month, the announcement by culture secretary Lucy Frazer of government plans to boost UK creative industries with one million new jobs, was a shot in the arm.
Creative industries will get £77m in a funding boost that’s all about growing the sector. £50m of this money is designed to support six new creative clusters, in addition to nine clusters already in place.
They include one promoting data-driven innovation among creative entrepreneurs in Edinburgh, as well as a cluster helping screen and performance firms in Bristol and Bath adapt to emerging technologies.
Among other measures will be £11m in funding towards a programme helping creative start-ups to scale up, and helping to turn entrepreneurs into business leaders. Money will also go towards around 400 grassroots music venues, new video games studios, London Fashion Week and to help emerging British musicians gain success abroad.
In total the government expects that its plans will add £50bn in value to the sector by 2030, and will help to position the creative industries as a “pillar of the economy” to be prioritised alongside technology, the green industries, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
Accelerate your career
One of the best ways to stay on top of a rapidly moving industry is to keep your skills sharp. If you’re looking for a new job now, The Media Leader Job Board is a great place to start. It contains hundreds of open roles, like the three below.
Lead Technical Animator, Warner Bros. Discovery, London
Rocksteady Studios is a member of the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment family, and is looking for a Lead Technical Animator to join its dedicated and collaborative team working on the upcoming AAA title Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League title. You’ll be leading, supporting and developing a team of technical animators, and apply your technical expertise directly by creating rigs, developing pipelines and collaborating with art and animation teams to solve all kinds of problems. Get full details here.
Sport Social Media Manager, News UK, London
The Sun Online is the biggest digital newsbrand in the UK and is looking for a Sport Social Media Manager, with deep knowledge of social media platforms and sports news, to join The Sun Sport Social team. Day-to-day tasks include managing and growing multiple accounts including The Sun Football, Sun Sport and Dream Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To apply, you’ll need detailed knowledge of social media platforms and analytics tools and a keen interest in football, boxing, MMA, horse racing and US sports. Apply now.
Content Architect, Havas Group, London
The primary job function of the Content Architect with Havas’ Production Network is to provide strategic direction and leadership for the development and production of high-performance assets that are activated for clients’ marketing campaigns. You will partner with global/key local clients, Havas agencies, and production leadership to deliver impact and fulfil the Audience First Production vision. See all the requirements for this role now.
Find more media jobs at all levels of the career ladder over on The Media Leader Job Board
