A new British Film Institute (BFI) report has spotlighted pressing legal, ethical, and operational risks posed by the use of generative AI in the UK’s screen sector. The study, conducted in partnership with CoSTAR universities Goldsmiths, Loughborough, and Edinburgh, warns that training AI models using copyrighted scripts without consent could destabilise the industry’s IP-driven economy. With film and TV content forming the backbone of UK screen exports, any devaluation of original content poses a threat to its long-term commercial viability.
The report also highlights the impact of automation on creative jobs, raises concerns about biased data in generative content, and discusses the environmental toll of energy-intensive AI processes. Despite these challenges, the BFI notes that the UK is well-positioned to lead in AI-powered creative technology, with over 13,000 firms in the sector. It highlights initiatives from the BBC and Charismatic consortium (Channel 4 and Aardman-backed) aimed at democratising AI access for content creators.
To ensure resilience and competitiveness, the report recommends a national strategy that includes licensing intellectual property (IP) for AI use, embedding green standards, investing in workforce skills, and supporting independent creators with ethical AI tools. The findings form part of CoSTAR’s broader £75.6m programme to futureproof UK digital entertainment leadership.
