Freelancers are vital part of the Creative Industries, comprising over 30% of the total workforce, and up to c.70% of the workforce in certain sectors (PEC, 2021).

In their recent study, Henry et al (2021) found that creative freelancers tend to use nonformal and informal routes to skills development, such as online peer communities. 57% of freelancers rely on these online peer communities to solve issues relating to contract negotiations and ‘grey issues’ not easily resolved by a quick internet search, such as setting rates (Connell et al, 2022). However, our research shows that these communities are not easily found, the quality of the advice given is hard for freelancers to assess, and the way in which these communities provide advice is inefficient.

Our vision is to develop a tool that enables creative freelancers to access the nuanced, trusted peer advice that is typically available only to those with established networks or existing experience. Our underpinning research highlights the knowledge gap faced by many freelancers, particularly those newer to the sector: Their questions are usually of a complex nature not easily solved by an internet search and they do not know who to approach for advice. For example, new freelancers struggle to price their work when many employers expect them to work for less/free due to a lack of experience, and they lack advice on if, when, and how to negotiate rates under those rates published by unions.  

In Stage One, we used anonymised data derived from online interactions, supplemented by interviews with industry experts, to scope the feasibility and parameters of designing an AI powered system to answer the common contractual questions of creative freelancers. We then developed a LoFi prototype, tested it with users and used this to develop a HiFi prototype of ‘Freelance Advisor’. Stage One was funded by the AHRC via a small research grant from Creative Informatics. Stage One is complete and you can read the final report in the ‘Progress Blog’.

In Stage Two, we established an advisory group to guide the project, and we are now seeking funding to build the front end of the app, and test it with a group of users.