Why Creative Industry Needs to Democratise AI in Workforce 

Expert in marketing communications have expressed concerns about the future of Africa’s creative professionals and workforce expectations, adding that, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will leapfrog the fourth industrial revolution by exploring the creative industry and creative economy to access technological tools to evolve and evoke social change.

This was discussed at the Innovention Series 11, a hybrid event, which took place at the Civic Centre in Lagos, Nigeria to address the future of Africa workplace with the theme “The Future of Africa’s Creative Industries in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Speaking on the side-lines of the 11 Edition of the Innovation series organised by the Verdant Zeal Group. executive Vice chairman of Verdant Zeal Groupe, Dr Tunji Olugbodi said, the creative future and the burgeoning creative economy should be tapped by creative professionals adding that, AI will democratise creativity by giving access to artist and other creators from remote corners of the world to leverage and generate their own tool for inspiration and collaboration.

According to Olugbodi, “Africa is a continent of incredible diversity, rich culture, and untapped creative potential. In an era marked by technological disruption, Africa’s creative industries are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s future and contributing to the global creative ecosystem.”

He maintained that artificial Intelligence, or AI, is one of the most profound technological advancements of our time adding that, it has the potential to revolutionize, revitalize and even revive (or restore) various industries, and Africa’s creative sectors are no exception.

AI can enhance creativity, increase efficiency, and unlock new opportunities for artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, and storytellers across the continent, Olugbodi remarked.

He espoused that the global audience will be tailored by AI to enable them reach a wider and more creative audience by showcasing digitisation of cultural appropriation while stressing that, the key challenges are carefully navigated to ensure that privacy, copyrights are protected.

He said the future of African creativity will preserve cultural heritage, Innovation and inspiration to transform the creative process of AI, adding that, it will witness the fourth industrial revolution by exploring AI adoption.

“We need skills to leverage AI. We must expand actors and maintain the authenticity of the creative process by taking collaboration amongst the creative professionals to where their grounds will flourish,” Olugbodi said.

While giving his remarks on the theme of the conference, the Principal Partner of Cubed Integrated Management Consulting, Dr. David Abodunrin, who spoke as the keynote speaker, emphasised the need for African creative experts to embrace AI.

He decried that, Nigeria missed out on the first, second and third industrial revolution while charging the need to tap the potential of the fourth industrial revolution which builds conversation around AI, IOT, Cyber security, big 5 amongst others.

Abodunrin opined that, the creative economy will evoke social change and boost global adoption for (AI) but he lamented that, Africans don’t know how to network and collaborate noting that although AI is expensive but it will synergise and synthesize to make creative environment more friendly.

He stated that, the future belongs to those who can navigate through the era of AI and encourage the use of AI technology at all levels of production. “AI is not the enemy, it is a tool that can learn anything, including human feelings and emotions. By using AI, creative professionals can increase productivity, save costs, and reach more people,” he said.

The Group CEO of Corporate Shepherds Limited, Idoreyen Enang, reiterated that, AI is not new and highlighted its origins in inventions such as smartphones and smart TVs. He stressed that, the future is predictable.

He revealed that, more jobs will go but what will remain is Innovation to grow and evolve around the predictable future of AI while stressing the need to fix power issues for AI adoption.

Software Engineer at Microsoft, Chisom Nwokwu stated that AI is primarily about collecting data and called for increased awareness and education on the new development.

Chisom posited that AI feeds mostly on data, adding that, data literacy will help to build Innovation around the creative Industry.