The CreaTech Network 2026 is a UK-wide initiative connecting creative practitioners, technologists and cultural institutions to explore what artificial intelligence means for creative practice. With a programme centred on applied research, policy discussion and collaborative projects, the network sets out to chart practical and ethical pathways for AI across the creative industries.
AI’s Evolving Role Across Creative Sectors
Across entertainment sectors such as film, television, games and animation, AI is being used to speed workflows, generate assets, support story development and personalise experiences for audiences. Production teams are experimenting with machine learning in previsualisation, procedural content and post production, while game developers apply models for procedural generation and player analytics. These tools offer productivity gains but also raise questions about authorship, rights and workforce skills.
In cultural heritage, galleries, libraries, archives and museums are using AI to catalogue collections, recover lost context and make material more discoverable. That work highlights data quality, provenance and bias as central considerations. Applying AI to cultural collections requires transparent datasets, clear licensing and community-guided stewardship to protect integrity and public trust.
Open-source AI tools play a key role in that ecosystem. Free and open platforms lower barriers for smaller creative teams, encourage reproducible methods and foster shared innovation across institutions. Open tooling also supports creative experimentation outside dominant commercial pipelines, enabling practitioners to adapt models to artistic and ethical priorities.
A Hub for Forward-Thinking Collaboration
Digital Futures, Creative Manchester and the Turing Innovation Catalyst are among the organisations leading CreaTech Network 2026 activity. Their collaboration places Greater Manchester and the North West at the centre of a national conversation on creative AI, driving regional investment and cross-sector partnerships. By convening researchers, industry and cultural organisations, the network amplifies voices beyond London and connects local strengths to UK-wide policy and industry development.
CreaTech Network 2026 is shaping the questions that will define creative AI practice: how to balance innovation with ethics, how to share tools and data responsibly, and how regional hubs can scale influence. The network’s findings are a timely resource for anyone shaping the future of creative technology.
