AI in the screen sector and beyond

An exploration of the impact of generative AI on the full breadth of the UK’s screen and broader creative technology sectors, and ongoing work to track, understand and inform.

The BFI has been exploring and tracking the use of AI across the screen and creative technology sectors as part of our partnership with the CoSTAR Foresight Lab. To date there are three areas of work.

AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward

AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward was produced by the BFI as part of our partnership with the CoSTAR Foresight Lab.

The 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

AI Casebook

The AI Casebook tracks real-world adoption of generative AI across film, television and video games through case studies of UK companies and projects. The casebook documents how practitioners are navigating the opportunities and constraints of generative AI in practice, and maps these applications to the nine recommendations published in the AI in the Screen Sector report.

AI Digest

The AI Digest is a quarterly summary of AI events and developments impacting the screen sector. Each edition tracks the latest on policy, rights, investment and responsible AI practice, from the UK Government’s Copyright and AI Consultation to emerging disclosure standards and new tools for ethical AI use in production.