A new report from UNESCO indicates that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to cause substantial income reductions for artists by 2028. The findings, part of UNESCO’s flagship monitoring report Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity, which analyzes over 120 countries, suggest that AI-generated content in global markets will significantly impact creative professionals.
The report highlights that these changes are unfolding rapidly, outpacing current policy responses and potentially worsening inequalities for millions of cultural workers.
Specifically, music creators could face a revenue decrease of 24 percent, while those in the audiovisual sector might see a 21 percent drop in income due to the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content. These disruptions are happening at a speed that current policies struggle to match, thereby threatening the livelihoods of numerous cultural workers.
While the shift towards digital production and consumption has opened new avenues, it has also amplified economic instability. Creators are increasingly vulnerable to intellectual property infringements and are experiencing reduced returns on their work as AI-generated outputs gain market traction.
Creative Digital Divide Widens
Existing global disparities further complicate these challenges. Only 28 percent of individuals in developing countries possess essential digital skills, compared to 67 percent in developed nations. This digital gap, combined with the growing influence of major streaming platforms and opaque algorithms that limit content visibility, is widening the disparities among creators, particularly those in the Global South.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany stated that the current period is a pivotal moment for the creative economy. The report details over 8,100 policy measures and emphasizes the need for immediate, coordinated action to protect artists’ rights, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and bolster the cultural sector’s contribution to sustainable development.
UNESCO warns that without increased investment, fairer market conditions, and enhanced international cooperation, creators risk further marginalization as technology advances. The agency urges governments to prioritize cultural policy as a strategic tool to safeguard artists’ livelihoods and ensure that creativity continues to foster social cohesion, economic growth, and cultural diversity in a rapidly evolving world.
