UNESCO Warns Generative AI Threatens Creative Industries and Fuels Inequality

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly expands across all sectors, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) warns that cultural and creative industries face significant losses and a potential surge in inequality. A new report, Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity, released on February 18, 2026, highlights the risks to livelihoods and artistic freedom.

AI’s Impact on the Creative Economy

The report, drawing on data from over 120 countries, indicates that AI-generated content is projected to dominate global markets. This, combined with weak intellectual property protections and the low cost of AI content creation, could exacerbate existing inequalities. UNESCO stresses the need to move beyond simply celebrating the potential of digital tools and instead critically examine their deployment and impact.

Projected Revenue Losses

UNESCO projects substantial revenue losses for creators due to generative AI. Specifically, the report forecasts potential global revenue declines of up to 24 percent for music creators and 21 percent for audiovisual creators by 2028. These losses are particularly concerning as digital income streams already account for nearly 35 percent of artists’ earnings – a 17 percent increase since 2018. As artists become more reliant on digital income, the rise of AI-generated content and intellectual property risks threaten their sustainability.

Challenges for Emerging Artists

The challenges posed by AI are not evenly distributed. Kiersten Beh, a traditional illustrator, noted that emerging artists face greater difficulties than established ones. “Senior artists…already know how to promote themselves and get their work out there,” Beh stated, expressing concern that emerging artists are directly competing with AI without the benefit of established networks.

Gaps in Policy and Protection

The UNESCO report reveals significant gaps in the protection of artists and their work globally. Only 61 percent of surveyed countries have adequate frameworks to safeguard artistic freedom and prevent intellectual property infringement related to AI. While 85 percent of countries include cultural and creative sectors in their national development plans, only 56 percent outline specific cultural objectives. Only 37 percent of countries have measures to support cultural workers in politically unstable or conflict-ridden environments.

Disparities in the Global South

The report emphasizes that the challenges are particularly acute in the Global South. Digital skills are held by approximately 67 percent of people in developed countries, compared to only 28 percent in developing nations. Only 48 percent of surveyed countries track the consumption of digital cultural content. Viviana Rangel, a Colombian independent expert, highlighted this imbalance, stating that the Global South primarily consumes AI technology rather than producing it, making the region more vulnerable to its unintended consequences.

Gender Inequality Persists

Significant gender disparities remain within the cultural sector. While the proportion of women leading cultural institutions has increased from 31 percent in 2017 to 46 percent in 2024, inequalities persist. Women hold 64 percent of leadership roles in developed countries, but only 30 percent in developing nations. Policy frameworks often position women as cultural consumers rather than recognizing their roles as creators and leaders.

UNESCO’s Call to Action

UNESCO calls for renewed investment, a more balanced market, and stronger collaboration between governments, institutions, and industry leaders to safeguard artistic freedom and ensure creative work remains a viable livelihood. Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, emphasized the need for collective action: “We, international organizations, states, artists, and humanity in general, must stand together in ensuring that AI does not limit the rights of everyone who wants to be involved in artistic creativity.” The agency stresses that creativity must remain a vital source of economic opportunity, cultural diversity, and social cohesion in a rapidly digitizing world.