White House to hold conference for digital creators

The Biden administration will host digital creators at the White House for the first-ever Creator Economy Conference in August, the director of digital strategy announced Friday. 

The conference, which will be held Aug. 14, will bring together creators, industry professionals and senior administration officials to discuss issues like artificial intelligence (AI), fair pay, privacy and mental health, said Christian Tom, who leads the White House Office of Digital Strategy. 

“It will be the first-ever event to take place on the White House campus that is focused specifically on the creator economy,” Tom told the audience at VidCon, an annual convention for influencers. 

“What this is, is an opportunity for everyone here – for the thousands and thousands of attendees at VidCon, for the thousands and thousands of creators and industry professionals who think about the creator economy every day – to really have a seat at the table,” he added. 

While the event will be invite only, Tom noted that creators can express interest in attending via an online form. 

“I think there is a need and an opportunity for the creator community to have its voice heard around some of the unique needs that the creator economy demands and an opportunity for my colleagues and for the White House to really hear some of these things directly from you all for the first time,” he said. 

The announcement comes the day after a shaky debate performance by President Biden on Thursday night.  

Amid chatter among Democrats about replacing him ahead of November’s election, the White House and Biden campaign have pushed back Friday, emphasizing that the president does not plan to drop out.