These companies will work on innovative AI solutions aimed at improving efficiency, engagement, and content quality, helping drive the integration of deep tech within the creative sector and boosting their scalability.

The BridgeAI programme, backed by a consortium including Innovate UK, Digital Catapult, The Alan Turing Institute, the Hartree Centre (STFC), and the British Standards Institution (BSI), has already allocated over £60 million to help businesses across various sectors enhance productivity through AI adoption. Each of the eight companies will receive tailored support from Digital Catapult to accelerate the development and commercialisation of their AI-driven solutions, enabling faster market entry and improved scalability.

Music Technology UK will explore AI solutions to streamline rights management for artists and simplify the use of digital streaming platforms. Companies like Halo and Echo Ltd, Feedback, and Flossy AI Ltd are developing tools to enhance content creation, improve real-time performance insights, and provide personalised merchandise platforms, all powered by AI. Halo and Echo’s AI-driven marketing platform, HypeMuse, will help creators expand their reach, while Feedback will focus on transforming live performances by offering insights into audience engagement.

Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in entertainment destinations, is working with innovators to enhance the visitor experience through AI, creating more personalised and interactive experiences at its venues. Placemaking AI and Tellme AI Ltd are collaborating to create immersive, accessible experiences through real-time insights and virtual tour guides for Merlin's international audiences.

LADbible Group, a major digital publisher with a global audience of 452 million, will partner with Assistant Engineering Ltd to develop an AI-powered tool for video metadata extraction. This technology will generate accurate keywords, improving video discoverability and engagement for viewers while benefiting advertisers, partners, and creators.

Bauer Media is collaborating with two programme pioneers, Overtone Technology Ltd and adclear.ai, to enhance its audio content. Overtone Technology will bring tone analysis to improve audio engagement, while adclear.ai is creating an AI solution to automate ad review processes, ensuring compelling content reaches the right audiences.

With the UK Government identifying the creative industries as a key driver of economic growth, the High Growth AI Accelerator, as part of BridgeAI, aims to foster innovation by merging creativity with AI. Participants will benefit from expert guidance, advanced computational resources, and risk management strategies, culminating in a showcase of their solutions with a focus on ethical AI development.

Past participants in the BridgeAI programme have reported significant improvements, including a 25% boost in operational efficiency and a 20% increase in AI model accuracy, leading to enhanced resource use and reduced carbon emissions. The programme continues to unlock new creative possibilities by merging human-centred creativity with cutting-edge AI technology.

Megan Wastell, Global Creative Director at Merlin Entertainments, said: “The BridgeAI accelerator is an exciting chance to work directly with startups who are tackling real-world challenges in the creative sector. I’m really looking forward to seeing how AI can help us streamline creative workflows and improve guest experiences. The potential for AI to transform everything from storytelling to how we manage our operations is huge, and it’s amazing to be a part of that journey.”

Sara El-Hanfy, Head of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at Innovate UK, said: “The projects that are a part of the High Growth Accelerator have great potential to address challenges within the creative sector and drive value through AI innovation. As part of the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme, this cohort is part of a wider portfolio of companies accelerating the adoption of AI across the UK.”

Jessica Rushworth, Chief Strategy and Policy Officer, at Digital Catapult, said: "This is a transformative initiative set to solve some of the most pressing challenges in the UK’s creative industries by leveraging cutting-edge innovations. With partners Bauer Media, Music Technology UK, LADbible, and Merlin Entertainments, the programme not only accelerates the application of deep tech solutions but also provides insight into practical opportunities for businesses to scale faster and apply these technologies to real-world challenges.”