Lights, digital camera, algorithm: China’s AI microdramas go viral – however spark copyright fears | UNW

For creatives in China’s film and television industry, the rapid adoption of generative AI is becoming a growing concern.

During a recent livestream, actor Yang Xuwen said the impact of AI was “extremely huge”, noting that many dramas can now be completed using the technology.

He added that investors are increasingly focused on production timelines and costs.

Veteran actor Jin Dong, speaking on the sidelines of China’s annual Two Sessions meetings, said AI-generated scripts alone cannot guarantee quality.

“The script is just one aspect of the whole project,” he said. “There are also rehearsals and filming. No matter how good a script is, if it’s crudely produced, the final product may not be well done.”

Screenwriter Yu Zheng also weighed in, saying AI could “never fully replace” real human performance.

“Some people like 2D characters, others enjoy real people,” he wrote on Weibo, adding that while he is experimenting with AI dramas, skilled actors and creators “do not need to worry” and that “humans will prevail”.

AI AS A CREATIVE TOOL – NOT A REPLACEMENT

Experts said the rise of generative AI is inevitable, particularly given its efficiency gains.

“Think about the productivity of producing microdramas using generative AI – it can shorten the production cycle from a few months to a few weeks,” said Xiao Lu, an assistant professor from the Academy of Film and Creative Technology at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

“This significantly changes the traditional workflow,” she said – also reducing costs and enabling new forms of “machine creativity” that can complement human ideas.