Going back as far a the industrial revolution of the 18th century, that heralds the manufacturing economy we know today. Due to its disruptive nature, technology has always presented businesses and society with some cause for concern.
Today, the world of content creation is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the relentless march of technology. Over the years, we have witnessed an explosive growth in the creation and consumption of digital content.
For example, according to statista, as of 2022, more than 500 hours of video were being uploaded to YouTube every minute, a staggering testament to the ubiquity of content in our lives. This trend has only accelerated since then, as platforms continue to evolve and diversify.
One of the most significant shifts in content creation is the rise of influencer marketing, which has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. You will find influencers, armed with little more than a smartphone and a compelling personality, have become the apparent content powerhouses, shaping trends and driving consumer behaviour.
This phenomenon underscores the democratisation of content creation; anyone with a message and an audience can experience the role of a creator. And with the aid of accessible AI technology tools, content creators and hands-on business owners can readily leverage AI technology for multiple productivity and automation
Skills and AI technology
Skills can be thought of as commodities in the sense that they are interchangeable and can be bought and sold in the job market. Like any commodity, the value of skills is based on supply and demand, and they can be developed, grown, and traded to meet the needs of a workforce.
However, it is important to note that skills are not always seen as commodities, as they are also considered to be personal and unique to each individual.
Now, with the view that most skills can be leveraged with AI technology, the most logical, eventual outcome regarding the future of how businesses will both produce and distribute content will follow the trends of the increasing commoditization of AI technology.
Naturally, it can be expected that as AI technologies become more accessible and cost-effective, a wider range of businesses will be able to implement AI solutions in order to automate and personalise various processes.
This includes automating back-office administrative and financial activities using robotic process automation (RPA), as well as leveraging AI for data analysis, customer engagement, and other user interactions.
The Role of Virtual and Augmented Reality
Technology has not only empowered individuals but also introduced entirely new dimensions to content creation. Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR / AR) are making content more immersive and interactive. The AR market was projected to reach $70-75 billion in revenue by 2023, a clear indication of the potential for immersive technologies.
Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a pivotal role in content creation, automating tasks like video editing and content recommendation. As AI continues to advance, it is poised to become an even more significant force in shaping the content landscape.
Short form video content
Short-form video content, epitomized by platforms like TikTok, has taken the world by storm. TikTok alone had over 2 billion downloads by 2021. This shift towards bite-sized, easily digestible content is influencing other platforms and media formats.
In addition to this, the podcasting industry is experiencing a renaissance, with millions of episodes available across a diverse range of topics.
The podcasting phenomenon showcases how technology enables niche content to find its audience, further underscoring the democratization of content creation.
Ethics and Sustainability