Screen industry AI training platform AIMCI has named ex-Pact chief executive John McVay as its vice-chair.
McVay’s remit will include standardising training and transparency around the technology, to help the industry understand how to use it responsibly.
McVay spent almost 25 years at producers’ alliance Pact, which was a launch partner on AIMICI’s ScreenSkills-accredited AI courses. The platform also offers a Responsible AI training standard.
“Before you can manage risk, you need to understand it,” McVay said. “Confusion in the market means that responsible rapid adoption of the technology is stalling, and misinformation can cause paralysis.
“AIMICI is addressing this by focusing on standardising AI training and transparency. Having created the first AI competency certification standard for the industry and upskilling the community with the right technology and insights, we can level the playing field and get on with what we do best—telling stories the world wants to hear.
“The instinct toward transparency is the right one. The execution gap is what the next twelve months need to close.”
AIMICI founder Ahsan Mallick described McVay an “innovator of policy and a champion of new vanguards”.
He added: “John’s deep industry knowledge, connections, and advocacy for fair and transparent ways of working make him the perfect addition to our team.
“His relationships with unions and industry stakeholders will facilitate our ability to establish workable AI guidelines for all production businesses.”
McVay also sits on the Creative Industries Council and has been a board member of the British Film Commission, the Creative Diversity Network and the Creative Cities Convention.
