Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
AI replacement rate
45%This role is currently tracked with 10 timeline items plus a profile-based replacement estimate.
AI capabilities are increasingly impacting the administrative, analytical, and content management aspects of agents' and business managers' roles. While interpersonal negotiation remains crucial, AI tools are automating tasks like IP tracking, performance analysis, endorsement strategy, and content optimization, leading to a moderate increase in replaceability for specific functions.
Replacement trend
Aggregated from periodic refresh snapshots- 2026-04-2015%
Why this role is rated this way
Structural baseWarner Music's acquisition of Sureel AI demonstrates an industry trend towards using AI to automatically track and manage artists' intellectual property, including usage in AI-generated content and model training. This automates a critical and complex aspect of an agent's role in protecting client assets and ensuring proper attribution and monetization.
Initiatives like 'Nao Jutuan' applying a 'scientific approach to comedy' and AI in esports for player training and strategy indicate a shift towards data-driven talent development. AI can analyze performance, simulate opponents, and assist in creating structured training systems, potentially streamlining artist and athlete development processes that agents oversee.
AI tools are increasingly used to optimize commercial aspects, such as identifying brand partnerships, analyzing fan behavior for targeted advertising, and managing endorsement deals. The Honor/Zhangxue Motorcycle co-branding illustrates a real-world endorsement deal that could be significantly supported by AI in terms of market analysis and partner identification.
The launch of OPPO Reno16 series with AI features for live streaming, creative content, and 4K video editing highlights how technology empowers artists to produce high-quality content more easily. Agents can leverage AI for content strategy, performance analysis, and managing the technical aspects of clients' online presence, reducing direct human effort in these areas.
Timeline
Relevant news and cases, newest firstNaïve has raised $28.5 million to develop an AI platform that automates the foundational and operational tasks involved in setting up and running a business.
Open originalBilibili appointed Zeng Ailing as the head of its AI video generation business, signaling a strategic push into AI for content creation, understanding, and distribution. The company is developing advanced AI tools like the updream platform for AI video creation and Toy for interactive web content publishing, which significantly enhance the capabilities of content creators (UP hosts). These developments directly impact agents and business managers of artists by providing new tools and workflows for managing and promoting their clients' creative output.
Open originalA GitHub blog post introduces the new GitHub Copilot app for beginners, detailing how it helps users start projects, work with AI agents, and streamline their development workflow.
Open originalThe 2026 World Cup Final will include a groundbreaking 11-minute halftime show featuring global artists, marking a significant shift in integrating major entertainment into sports events.
Open originalA new OpenAI research paper highlights how AI agents are transforming work, enabling longer, more complex tasks and expanding productivity across various roles.
Open originalWarner Music Group acquired Sureel AI to enhance its ability to track the use of its artists' work in AI-generated content and AI model training, impacting how artist IP is managed.
Open originalLSEG is leveraging OpenAI to implement trusted AI solutions throughout its global operations, aiming to enhance decision-making, expedite development cycles, and boost productivity for its 4,000 employees.
Open originalOPPO launched its Reno16 series phones, Pad 6 tablets, and Enco Air5s headphones, highlighting advanced camera systems, AI-powered "Live Sticker" for creative content, and enhanced live streaming capabilities. The Reno16 Pro is positioned as a "live streaming artifact" with gimbal stabilization and clear audio, while the Pad 6 supports professional 4K video editing, impacting content creators and performers.
Open originalAI is transforming the esports industry by enhancing player training and strategy through data analysis and opponent simulation. It also empowers event management, fan behavior analysis, advertising placement, and commercial operations, while driving intelligent video editing, virtual anchors, and merchandise development.
Open originalThis article features A-qiu, founder of Nao Jutuan, who applies a 'scientific approach to comedy' to train performers and build the comedy industry. Moving from civil engineering, A-qiu serves as a chief creative director, developing structured teaching systems for improvisation and sketch comedy. The piece discusses his philosophy on effort over talent, the importance of emotional resonance, and the challenges of industrializing comedy. It highlights his goal to make comedy training accessible and mainstream, emphasizing the development of performers from amateurs to stars, which is a key area for agents and business managers of artists.
Open original