Following recognition from the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, Bangor University was invited to participate in the Coronation Challenge CreaTech. This year-long research initiative, commissioned by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), was launched as part of the 2023 Sector Vision initiative— aimed at stimulating growth within the UK’s Creative Industries.
The Coronation Challenge project team was convened by the Royal Anniversary Trust and brought together representatives from 22 universities and colleges that had recently been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize.
Over the course of the year, UK-based innovators, creators, and businesses working in creative technology came together with academics and researchers in creative industries to produce a comprehensive report for the UK Government: How the Fusion of Emerging Technologies and the Creative Industries Can Transform the UK’s Approach to Skills, Innovation, and Business.
Representing Bangor University in this initiative was Professor Andrew Lewis, an award-winning composer and internationally recognised figure in acousmatic composition, and Professor Andrew McStay, Professor of Technology and Society and Director of the Emotional AI Lab.
Professor Lewis has interests in the materiality of perceived sound and the use of technology to realise new musical ideas, while Professor McStay specialises in the ethical and societal implications of AI.
This initiative highlighted the potential of seamlessly connecting creativity and technology. The Creative Industries, worth an estimated £125 billion to the UK economy, are a key driver of growth, and music should be at the forefront of technological development. From supermarket sound design to immersive videogame soundtracks, the fusion of these fields shapes everyday experiences and fuels innovation.
The creative industries play a vital role in the UK’s economy, and AI has scope to boost the endeavours of these industries. However, it is crucial to consider how these technologies engage with human life. This challenge reinforced the importance of understanding human-AI interaction, and the need for responsible AI. The creative industries can help with this mission, using human creativity to realise services that entertain, enrich and inspire, rather than manipulate or exploit.
Bangor University is proud to have been part of this transformative initiative, contributing its expertise to a project that highlights the immense potential of Creative Industries and emerging technology. The final report makes key recommendations to the UK Government, including the need for greater investment in R&D, enhanced educational pathways to address skill gaps, and stronger partnerships between industry and academia.
The University remains committed to supporting innovation in this field, ensuring that creativity and technology continue to thrive in harmony for the benefit of future generations.
