Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, Executive Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Verdant Zeal Group, has urged African creative entrepreneurs to rethink their approach to business in the era of artificial intelligence, stressing that technology alone cannot guarantee brand loyalty or sustainability.
Speaking ahead of his lead presentation at the Creative and Entertainment Industry Summit & Awards (CEISA 2026) in Abuja, Olugbodi posed a critical question: “If AI makes it easier for everyone to create, what will make your creative business worth choosing?”
In a post seen by Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), Dr Olugbodi cautioned that producing more content does not automatically translate into stronger brands or enduring audiences. Instead, he emphasized the need for creatives to understand consumer values, develop recognizable identities, and build business models that reward originality and protect intellectual property.
Drawing from his extensive experience in communications, enterprise, and film, Olugbodi noted that while tools evolve, the foundations of creativity remain constant: cultural understanding, judgment, and authenticity.
At CEISA 2026, Olugbodi will deliver a keynote on “Building Sustainable Creative Brands in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: From Ideas to Economic Value.” His session will explore how African creatives can harness AI to expand possibilities while safeguarding their work and ensuring long-term relevance.
“My thanks to the organisers for the invitation. As the tools become more widely available, what will set us apart is the judgement, cultural understanding and originality we bring to them,” he said.
The summit is expected to gather leading voices from across Africa’s creative and entertainment industries, offering a platform to chart pathways for innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
