UNESCO joins EU-funded CULTURAI project on AI in the cultural sector

UNESCO has joined CULTURAI, a four-year research and innovation project funded with nearly €5 million from the EU's Horizon Europe programme, according to a UNESCO announcement. The consortium of eleven partners, including universities, research institutes and cultural organisations, studies how AI can be used in the cultural and creative sectors while protecting cultural diversity and creative autonomy.

UNESCO will lead a comparative review of AI governance frameworks for culture in seven jurisdictions: the EU, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, South Africa, the UK and the US. It will also design a survey of about 800 audiovisual professionals in film, television, radio, video and on-demand services on how AI is affecting their creative autonomy and working conditions. The results will feed into policy recommendations on AI in Europe's cultural and creative industries.

The project focuses on ethics, governance, labour market impact, inclusivity and AI literacy, which it identifies as four gaps holding the cultural sector back.