- This course has closed.
| Start Date | Budget | Max Participant Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Programme will start advertising in Jan 2026 and run in early 2026 | 20K | 20 to 25 |
Deadline to submit: Thursday, Dec 11th at 5pm
Programme Budget: 20K
Overview
In 2026, our flagship company & leadership development programme, Future Edge, aims to support senior leaders in the creative sector to continue to be resilient and adaptable to new developments in AI, but always with ethical best practices in mind.
Brief summary of proposed activities
Future Edge 2026 will support creative company leaders to navigate and survive the current challenges their companies are facing and guide them towards capitalising on new opportunities to help their companies thrive in the future. Through a combination of instructor led workshops and peer to peer learning, our aim is to empower senior leaders to navigate the key challenges of AI within their companies/organisations. They will be equipped to think strategically about future opportunities that will arise regarding AI use to ensure the sustainable growth of their company/organisation and the sector as a whole. They will understand key AI developments and their relevance to the creative industries in broad terms, but also within the specific areas of Sustainability, Production and Scheduling, HR, GEDI and Business Processes
Target audience/participant profile
The programme will be designed for creative company leaders (including senior managers and department heads) with 2+ years of leadership experience in one or more of the broad areas of Animation, Visual Effects, Games, Film, TV, Documentary, Post-Production, Immersive Technologies, AR/VR, Virtual Production, Digital Media, Entertainment Events, Music, Performing Arts and Visual Arts.
The programme will also be open to applications from leaders within representative bodies, stakeholder organisations, guilds, and broadcasters.
Participants of the programme should be in a position to instigate change within the company/organisation.
Proposal
The Future Edge 2026 programme invites experts to:
- Design an in-person workshop that provides an overview of the latest ethical AI developments in the cultural and creative industries, with the goal of formulating or updating participants’ company AI policies/statements by the end.
- Design follow-on workshops for the participants covering ethical AI use in the areas of Sustainability, Production and Scheduling, HR, GEDI and Business Processes. Participants will also be offered 1 to 1 consultation with an expert of their choice at the end of these workshops.
The lead designer of the programme will have oversight and be responsible for the running of the overall programme. We encourage suggestions for partnerships and guest speakers across all workshops. CCIS will have the final sign-off on all guest speakers and partners.
Each submission should propose content in detail, including a delivery schedule and identify the person/team responsible for delivery. Your proposal should include your bio and track record in your area of expertise and a detailed budget.
- Please note that CCIS will handle venues and catering, so you can exclude these from your budget.
- CCIS may pay some guest speakers directly, but please indicate these costs so we have an idea of the overall budget.
Please find below a suggested format for Future Edge 2026. We welcome collaboration and suggestions, should this format require adjustments. Our approach is to both encourage and facilitate the ethical use of AI and ensure best practices.
SUGGESTED FORMAT
Future Edge 2026 will provide creative company leaders with the opportunity to access an in-person workshop addressing Ethical AI use within the creative industries; and how it impacts IP, Privacy, GDPR, Data Sharing and Data Protection and cybersecurity. This will assist participants in formulating or updating their own AI Statement or Policy. We estimate this workshop will be approx 2 days.
Topics may include:
- Introduction to AI Developments: Overview of the latest trends in AI technology and their implications.
- Legal & Regulatory Developments: Understanding the legal landscape surrounding AI and its application in creative industries.
- Overview of IP & Data Concerns: Exploring IP issues and data privacy challenges associated with using AI in creative processes.
- Risks of Using AI in the Creative Space: Identifying potential pitfalls, including bias in AI algorithms, copyright infringement, and ethical considerations in AI-generated content.
- Practical Application of AI: Insights on how to integrate AI tools into everyday practices in an ethical way, enhancing productivity.
- Review of Policies: Including draft policies or statements from the participants.
- Best Practices: Existing successful ethical AI policies from the creative industry as case studies.
By the end, participants will:
- Have produced or updated an Ethical AI statement, plan, strategy or policy for their company
- Understand key AI developments and their relevance to the creative industries in broad terms, but also within the specific areas of Sustainability, Production and Scheduling, HR & GEDI, and Business Processes.
- Be familiar with legal and regulatory considerations when implementing AI.
- Identify IP and data concerns related to AI use in their work.
- Recognise the risks associated with AI in creative processes and consider the ethical implications.
It is envisaged that Participants will then select all or some of the ½ day workshops (suggested duration) listed below with specialist consultants who have expertise in the use of AI across:
- Sustainability (½ day)
- Production and Scheduling (½ day)
- HR & GEDI (½ day)
- Business Processes (½ day)
Once the above has been completed, participants will have the opportunity to access a 1:1 session with a consultant of their choice, tailored specifically for each participant. All 1:1 consultation sessions must be used within 6 months of the programme.
Finally, all participants will attend an in-person closing group workshop that will include learning reflection, company culture/policy implementation and a networking event to close.
All of the above workshops will support peer to peer sharing and learning and will cater for up to 25 participants (creative company leaders across Film, TV, Animation, Games, VFX, Immersive, etc.). The output will be for each company/participant to produce or update an Ethical AI statement, plan, strategy or policy for their company, or their department/team in the areas of priority. CCIS will monitor and evaluate the programme as it is rolled out, including establishing expectations at the start, facilitating a mid-point check-in and incorporating feedback at the end. This program will have a lasting impact on the future of the creative sector by supporting companies and leaders to capitalise on future Ethical AI opportunities and ensure a human-centric approach. These leading companies will, in turn, generate future opportunities for emerging talent and the broader sectoral workforce.
Submission
Please email your submission to: susantalbot@furthr.ie and seansmith@furthr.ie
Subject Heading: Future Edge Proposal
Deadline to submit: Thursday, Dec 11th at 5pm