Torbay creatives are invited to an educational networking event designed to help them learn the best ways to integrate AI into their work for increased productivity and creativity.
On Wednesday, January 29, from 5-7pm, The Torbay Creatives Cluster plays host to a free event designed for creatives and creative students. AI for Creatives will be held at the Hi-Tech Digital Centre at South Devon College in Paignton.
The event is sponsored by Chris Coward, Managing Director of Clear Sky Publishing, and organised by Liz Mackie, founder of The Creatives Universe.
The Creatives Universe is a Torquay-based platform dedicated to unlocking the potential of creative minds and guiding them toward business success.
Part of this mission is raising awareness of AI’s opportunities and how it can benefit the creative sector and particularly small businesses.
According to Liz, many creative professionals earn below the minimum wage and often run micro-businesses with one or two people, leaving them with limited access to costly promotional tools.
The event’s aim is to equip creatives with the confidence and knowledge to utilise AI as an increasingly valuable, accessible, and often free resource.
“AI is advancing at an incredible pace, and within the next decade, we think that 45 per cent of all the jobs that people do today will disappear,” says Liz.
“AI can act as a partner, taking over many lower-level administrative tasks, freeing up time for creatives to focus on doing what they love.”
Liz described the creatives in Torbay as “world-leading,” mentioning international street artists such as Gus Szabo from Szabotage, or Krys Jones, a Global Geopark artist promoting coastal sustainability through jewellery.
Above: (left to right) Bill Mansfield, Liz Mackie, Simon Beer
She said she has noticed that the sea is an important and recurring theme in local artists’ work, believing people to be “drawn to the sea and surrounding areas for inspiration.”
Liz also mentioned the Facebook group Brixham Creatives as an excellent resource for finding and connecting with local creatives.
AI tools are available to streamline marketing for small businesses include blog-writing tools for social media posts, digital talking avatars, LinkedIn bots, and powerful free resources like Google Notebook LM, which can even convert recorded meetings into podcasts.
The event will not only demonstrate where to find these tools and show how these can be put to use competitively and in ways that develop their personal brands.
Liz emphasised: “A key mantra with AI is, ‘Don’t just use it as it is.’ AI can make mistakes or misinterpret information, so a human review and input ensures accuracy.”
Acknowledging hesitations about AI, Liz added: “Not everyone wants it. There are misconceptions, but once you start using the tools, you begin to get an understanding of how they work.
“AI is your partner, not your replacement. We will see huge changes in AI this year. The Government has launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan this week. The plan links the AI opportunities to help solving 5 key missions for the Labour Government.” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-opportunities-action-plan-government-response/ai-opportunities-action-plan-government-response
She described AI tools as liberating and empowering for freelancers and creatives, levelling the playing field for small businesses that previously couldn’t afford professional marketing agencies.
The event will feature five key talks from Liz and guest speakers Peter Blackler (Insignia Creative), Simon Beer (Big Wave Media), and Bill Mansfield (Leonardopower).
After the talks have finished, there will be an opportunity for attendees to network with other local creatives and make new contacts.
Any questions feel free to email liz.mackie@thecreativesuniverse.com
You can register for the free event at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/torbay-creative-cluster-ai-for-creatives-tickets-1105840762489