Index Creator Summit 2021

Creators are a new class of worker. They work in our growing digital economy, building and sharing their creations across the internet. They are defining the future of art, the future of self-expression, and the future of work. But what's driving this new economy, and why is it at an inflection point today?

The Renaissance was humanity's zenith of creativity, art, and expression. Today, we're entering a second Renaissance—a digital Renaissance. Paula Findlen is the world's preeminent expert on the Renaissance. She speaks with Index partner Sarah Cannon on parallels between the Renaissance and our modern, technology-driven creator economy.

Most kids want to be creators. But the infrastructure built for this form of work is nascent, and many people don't understand the challenges (or, often, the opportunities) that come with being a creator. This is the creator's perspective—what misconceptions people have about creators, and what creators still need to formalize and accelerate their work.

The world is more connected than ever, enabling us to express ourselves in new and different ways. On the internet, we find belonging and we build communities. Here, we discuss how online identity has evolved over time, how different platforms work to shape digital identity, and what we can observe from salient Gen Z behaviors across platforms.

Millions of people are finding work as a creator, but monetization for this economy is nascent. The infrastructure that underlies small businesses will be rebuilt for creators—the new small businesses. We'll see financial, analytical, and software tools help creators understand and grow their businesses.

We're spending more time than ever interacting and transacting online. And in the future, we'll spend much of our lives—for work and for play—in immersive virtual environments and robust digital economies. This is the future of work and the future of entertainment, combining key gaming, crypto, and media.

Creators need places to cultivate and build community. Trust and affinity have shifted from institutions, to organizations, to people—with creators at the forefront. People turn to creators and creator communities for belonging, and the platforms facilitating digital community now form the fabric of culture and connection.