The secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport Lucy Frazer has re-iterated the government’s commitment to delivering £15 billion of extra economic growth and a million additional jobs for the creative industries in the years ahead.
Speaking at the Lead advertising summit, she praised advertising’s vital role in driving forward the UK economy’s creative output, as well as helping lead on the latest AI developments.
Calling the industry an “essential cog in the free market”, Frazer highlighted the importance of advertising in keeping the cost of media low, giving the British public cut-price or free access to newspapers, magazines, commercial radio, TV and podcasts.
In order to secure the industry’s future success, the secretary of state gave details on how the government is collaborating closely with both the Advertising Association (AA) and the IPA to deliver a ‘cultural careers programme’ to help encourage 11-18 year olds pursue creative careers through a series of “events, panel talks and filmed content with industry leaders.”
Recognising the crucial role that data and AI are set to play within the wider global economy over the coming decades, Frazer noted how advertising is “already beginning to lead the way in applying AI to different parts of its day to day work”.
Underlining the government’s intention to “harness the benefits of AI right across society”, the secretary of state was at pains to highlights that the technology will never be able to replicate the creativity that can “only come from a human being.”
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She added that Downing Street would act to ensure that “creators have the control and transparency they need over their content when it is used by AI models” and that all AI is used “responsibly.”
Closing her speech, Frazer also touched on the government’s online advertising programme and its role in tackling online harm, calling it a “key focus of this government” and that a regulatory framework is being built to help fight the harms linked to illegal online advertising.
With a focus on protecting under-18s from fraudulent ads for products and services, the minister added that the legislation would be introduced “when parliamentary time allows” and that a “further consultation on the details will be published first”.
This work will be carried out in close partnership with the Online Advertising Taskforce headed up by former McCann president Mark Lund, which has been set up to continually raise standards.
Responding to Frazer’s address, AA CEO Stephen Woodford said: “We are delighted to hear the Culture Secretary recognise the significant contribution the UK advertising sector makes to the UK creative industries on the world stage and its vital role in supporting the UK economy and media.
“The UK advertising industry continues to lead in exporting its services around the world, and our sector leads the way in creative and digital innovation – including new technologies like AI. If our sector is going to continue to contribute to its fullest to the UK economy we need balanced regulation, with long-term planning to support domestic and international growth.”
