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Insights

UK's Creative Industries through our reports, insights and research

Welcome to our Insights page where you can discover the latest research from the CoSTAR Network's UK-wide team of world-class researchers, academics and experts.

Explore our reports, papers and articles shaping the future of the UK's creative industries, covering a wide range of perspectives from responses to government sustainability policy to proposals on how to build a fair AI copyright framework.

Sign up to our CoSTAR Network Newsletter for regular updates from this page or follow us on socials.

A large professional film or photography studio filled with equipment and crew members. The space is dominated by a huge, seamless bright blue backdrop that curves at the base, creating an infinity‑style stage. Several silhouetted figures stand or work around cameras, tripods, and large LED panel lights positioned throughout the room. The floor reflects the blue light, and overhead rigging and studio fixtures are visible across the dark ceiling.
Foresight LAB
research
AI

AI in the Creative Industries Quarterly Digest - April to June 2026

Welcome to the CoSTAR Foresight Lab’s screen sector digest, summarising events and developments in AI each quarter.

Posted: 14 July 2026
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Foresight LAB
research
AI

Creative Technology Policy Signals Briefing #1

The first in a series of Policy Signals briefings, this publication examines emerging trends, early indicators of change, and longer-term policy trajectories shaping AI in the creative technology landscape.

Posted: 06 July 2026
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Foresight LAB
research

Creative Tech Growth Plan Primer

This primer has been developed to systematically map policy priorities related to creative technology across all Growth Plans developed by Local and Combined Authorities across England. It provides the broader context for the UK-wide growth potential of creative technology and the importance of recognising it through the lens of devolution and place.

Posted: 06 July 2026
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Abstract image of colourful led lights with motion blur
Foresight LAB
research

Creative Technology Futures: Policy Foresight Methodology Toolkit

This toolkit sets out a practical, reusable foresight method for exploring long-term futures in creative technology policy, with illustrative templates and workshop exercises that can be adapted for different policy and innovation contexts.

Posted: 06 July 2026
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Foresight LAB
research

Creative Technology Futures: Policy pathways to 2035 and beyond

This report responds to the growing recognition of creative technology as a strategic growth opportunity for the UK and examines the future of the ecosystem through a distinctive policy foresight lens. It identifies key forces, tensions and decisions that will shape its long-term trajectory to 2035 and beyond, drawing on desk research, horizon scanning and a programme of national, regional and devolved stakeholder workshops across the UK.

Posted: 06 July 2026
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Foresight LAB
research
AI

Copyright and Artificial Intelligence – Literature review

This literature review captures the debate around AI and copyright, focusing on academic literature, blog posts and grey literature. Originally coinciding with a government consultation on AI and copyright launched in 2024 (HM Government, 2024) and now updated in June 2026, this literature review looks at alternative approaches from which the UK might learn.

Posted: 26 June 2026
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Foresight LAB
research

Creative Technologies International Scan #6

This Creative Technologies International Scan (CTIS) is the sixth in a series of publications designed to present and unpack global developments of advanced technologies in and for the Creative Industries.

Posted: 29 April 2026
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A mockup of Thol’s user interface, copyright Black Goblin
Foresight LAB
research
AI

Tracking adoption of generative AI in the creative industries

Through a unique collection of case studies, the CoSTAR Foresight Lab is tracking adoption of AI technologies and building a knowledge base to help creatives, industry leaders and policy makers stay up to date with emerging use cases, new possibilities and evolving practice.

Posted: 26 April 2026
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A large professional film or photography studio filled with equipment and crew members. The space is dominated by a huge, seamless bright blue backdrop that curves at the base, creating an infinity‑style stage. Several silhouetted figures stand or work around cameras, tripods, and large LED panel lights positioned throughout the room. The floor reflects the blue light, and overhead rigging and studio fixtures are visible across the dark ceiling.
Foresight LAB
research
AI

AI in the Screen Sector Quarterly Digest - January to March 2026

Welcome to the CoSTAR Foresight Lab’s screen sector digest, summarising events and developments in AI each quarter.

Posted: 23 April 2026
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Cover image for the CoSTAR National Lab Annual Report, covering the period October 2023 to December 2025
National LAB
research

CoSTAR National Lab Annual Report October 2023 - December 2025

Since the CoSTAR investment was announced, we have established the CoSTAR National Lab as a central gateway into this distributed national infrastructure — connecting specialist R&D Labs across the UK, including the Live Lab, Realtime Lab, Screen Lab and Foresight Lab. Together, the Network provides creative businesses with access to a unique combination of facilities, research expertise and technical capability designed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the sector.

Posted: 25 March 2026
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Flags of the ASEAN nations
Foresight LAB
research

Policy Snapshot: Creative Technology in ASEAN and the Philippines

This policy snapshot on ASEAN and the Philippines presents a high-level summary of policies and strategies related to the Creative Industries and convergent technology innovation.

Posted: 13 March 2026
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A large professional film or photography studio filled with equipment and crew members. The space is dominated by a huge, seamless bright blue backdrop that curves at the base, creating an infinity‑style stage. Several silhouetted figures stand or work around cameras, tripods, and large LED panel lights positioned throughout the room. The floor reflects the blue light, and overhead rigging and studio fixtures are visible across the dark ceiling.
Foresight LAB
research
AI

AI in the Screen Sector Quarterly Digest - October to December 2025

Welcome to the CoSTAR Foresight Lab’s new screen sector digest, summarising events and developments in AI each quarter.

Posted: 26 February 2026
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