AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward

This report represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first UK-wide exploration of the overall impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the full breadth of the UK’s screen sector. Our film, high-end television and video games industries are not only economic powerhouses – employing more than 200,000 people and contributing an estimated £21 billion in gross value added to the UK economy – but also vital cultural ambassadors, shaping global perceptions of UK creativity and storytelling.

Generative AI has the potential to transform how screen stories are developed, content is produced, and audiences engage with media. In time, the implications will be far-reaching. To ensure that the UK remains a global leader in screen production and creative innovation, policymakers must act to support ethical, sustainable and inclusive AI integration across the sector.

Based on an analysis of available data, together with targeted expert interviews and industry surveys, the report surfaces key insights into the existing and potential effects of generative AI, and nine recommendations aligned to three strategic outcomes: namely, that the UK should develop a focused set of collaborative frameworks; that key parts of our sector require targeted support; and that there are identifiable barriers to growth that urgently need to be unlocked.

Read and download the report.

Image: Still from Honu (2024), an AI-generated short film, by Holden Boyles / The Ambiguous Company (theambiguous.co).