A new report published today by the BFI, AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward, analyses how the screen sector is using and experimenting with rapidly evolving generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. To ensure that the UK remains a global leader in screen production and creative innovation, the report sets out a roadmap of key recommendations to support the delivery of ethical, sustainable, and inclusive AI integration across the sector, in order that the UK can capitalise on its creative strengths, enabling independent companies to scale-up and compete globally.
The report is published by the BFI as part of its role within the CoSTAR Foresight Lab; CoSTAR is the UK’s Creative R&D network. This the second report published this year for the CoSTAR Foresight Lab on AI use in the creative industries, following a study into sustainability impacts of AI and other convergent technologies.
Generative AI promises to democratise and revolutionise screen content creation. Projects such as the Charismatic consortium, backed by Channel 4 and Aardman Animations, aim to make AI tools accessible to creators regardless of budget or experience. This could empower a new wave of British creators to produce high-quality content with modest resources, though concerns about copyright and ethical use remain significant barriers to full adoption. The BBC is piloting structured AI initiatives. The BFI National Archive and the BBFC are experimenting with AI for subtitling, metadata generation, and content classification, enhancing accessibility and operational efficiency…