Broadcaster Kirsty Wark to host public event at University of Leeds exploring AI, skills and the future of the creative industries
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping creative practice and raising urgent questions about skills, ethics and the future of work across the cultural and creative industries.
On Tuesday 17 March 2026, the University of Leeds will host ‘What’s Next: AI, Skills and the Future of the Creative Industries’, a public panel event exploring how the sector can respond thoughtfully and responsibly to these changes. The discussion will be chaired by distinguished broadcaster and presenter Kirsty Wark – the longest-serving presenter of the BBC’s flagship political debate programme Newsnight until 2024.
Through discussion and audience participation, the event will examine how AI is already influencing creative production, and what this means for skills development, recruitment, programming and long-term sustainability across the creative sectors.
Key questions include: what does meaningful skills development with AI look like? How can creative organisations engage with AI ethically and responsibly? And how can the sector future-proof creative skills while navigating rapid technological change?
Taking place at Stage@Leeds, the event is organised by the Cultural Institute at the University of Leeds and brings together a diverse panel of speakers from academia, policy and creative practice.
The panel includes:
- Dr Dibyadyuti Roy, Associate Professor in Cultural Studies, Media Studies and Digital Humanities at the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies (University of Leeds).
- Omar Karim, AI Creative Director, Film Director and Image Maker
- Katie Moffat, Digital Strategist
- Luba Elliott, AI Art Curator
- Dr Matthew Forshaw, The Alan Turing Institute
Together, the speakers will offer perspectives that span critical research, policy insight and hands-on creative experimentation, providing a rounded view of AI’s current and potential impact on the creative industries.
Professor Ben Walmsley, Dean of Cultural Engagement at the University of Leeds and Associate Director (Policy) at the Centre for Cultural Value, said:
“Artificial intelligence is starting to challenge and reshape how the cultural and creative sectors work — from how we engage with our audiences to recruitment, programming and ethical practice. Through our What’s Next? series, we want to create space for open, critical conversations that bring together creatives, academics, policymakers and sector leaders. This event is about sharing diverse perspectives, asking difficult questions, and collectively shaping responsible approaches to AI that reflect the values of our sector.”
The event is part of the Cultural Institute’s ‘What’s Next?’ series – a forum for exploring the big questions shaping the cultural and creative sector through dialogue and shared learning. 2025’s sold-out event focused on the implications of devolution for Yorkshire’s arts and culture sector.
‘What’s Next: AI, Skills and the Future of the Creative Industries’ will be of particular interest to freelancers, managers and leaders working in the creative and cultural sectors; policymakers and funders; and academics researching creativity, culture and technology.
