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Potential occupational exposure to artificial intelligence across selected cultural industries in Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Tahsin Mehdi
  • Rupert Allen
  • Josip Lesica
  • Jenny Watt

Abstract

A central concern surrounding recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is their potential to replace human labour, especially in the domain of content creation, such as the production of music, videos, images and text in the cultural industries. However, there is a lack of information regarding how AI may impact workers in these industries. This article attempts to fill this information gap by examining potential occupational exposure to and complementarity with AI in selected cultural industries in Canada. A key finding is that occupations in cultural industries could potentially be more exposed to AI-related job transformation, facing a higher potential for AI substitution compared with jobs in other industries. However, jobs in cultural industries also have a greater potential to be augmented by AI. Although some evidence suggests relatively slower employment growth in certain cultural industries since the mass availability of generative AI tools in late 2022, it remains unclear whether the observed changes are solely driven by AI or result from the cumulative effects of pre-existing trends and other competing economic forces.

Suggested Citation

  • Tahsin Mehdi & Rupert Allen & Josip Lesica & Jenny Watt, 2026. "Potential occupational exposure to artificial intelligence across selected cultural industries in Canada," Economic and Social Reports 202600300003e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch.
    • Handle: RePEc:stc:stcp8e:202600300003e
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202600300003-eng
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edward Felten & Manav Raj & Robert Seamans, 2021. "Occupational, industry, and geographic exposure to artificial intelligence: A novel dataset and its potential uses," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(12), pages 2195-2217, December.
    2. Ryan Macdonald & Josip Lesica & Jenny Watt & Rupert Allen, 2025. "Cultural industries in Canada: Exploring firm dynamics and measurement," Economic and Social Reports 202500400005e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch.
    3. repec:stc:stcp8e:2025004e is not listed on IDEAS
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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