AI skills vital to media growth

AI is front and centre of skills and training for the industry with a clear opportunity for vendors to grasp, according to new research unveiled at the World Skills Café (WSC) yesterday. 

“AI wasn’t mentioned at all at our first event at IBC2024 but this year it will be at the forefront of nearly every conversation across all parts of the industry,” said Carrie Wootten, Co-founder of Media Talent Manifesto, which organises the WSC. 

It will also be woven across the IBC Talent Programme, dedicated to empowering the next generation of professionals shaping media, entertainment and technology, which takes place today on the Hackfest Stage in Hall 14. 

Media companies already have three times as many specialist AI roles than those outside the sector, Angeliki Megariti of Caretta Research told the WSC audience. 

“The biggest barrier for broadcast and media buyers is a lack of AI skills within their organisation," she said. "Most companies are eager to use AI rather than developing deep knowledge. Buyers want AI embedded in their standard tools. They see it more as a feature than a product itself.” 

This creates an opportunity for vendors to enable AI adoption without heavy investment, she said. 

“Most AI teams are currently small and focused on automating routine tasks, reducing costs and boosting creativity,” Megariti said. “We are at the point where vendors are selling and buyers want to use AI but the lack of skills is slowing everyone down.”