Edited By
Chloe Zhao

A notable trend is emerging in China's entertainment sector, where AI-generated videos are starting to replace traditional actors and live-streamers. With the rapid advancement of technology, some people express concern about the future of human creativity in media.
In recent months, there has been a significant uptick in AI-produced content. Comments from various forums suggest many believe this trend will only accelerate. Some remarks indicate a sense of inevitability in AI taking over roles once filled by humans. One comment states, "Itโs inevitable that AI content will be an entire market," highlighting a shift in how people view entertainment.
Interestingly, many viewers in China refer to these AI videos as "brainrot," noting their low-quality entertainment value. As one person put it, they watch to "pass the time," which reflects a growing acceptance of this new content form.
While some view AI advancements as a risky development, others embrace it. Questions around human-created content continue to arise, with assertions like, "Human-created content barely exists today to begin with," suggesting that many popular titles are already produced under corporate umbrellas with minimal individual influence.
"Actors often sleep their way up. Romans were right, actors are like prostitutes," remarked one commentator, expressing disdain for the current industry dynamics. This sentiment captures a larger frustration regarding traditional actors and their perceived lack of authenticity.
Concerns have also been raised about copyright issues in China. The saturation of AI-generated videos has sparked debate, with some labeling the environment a red ocean. As one observer pointed out, people โjust rip web novelsโ for quick production. This trend could threaten the livelihood of original creators and raise significant ethical issues moving forward.
Curiously, some users remain skeptical about the market's future. "These models need to be good enough to be persistent in the movie stylemeaning I shouldn't notice character changes throughout scenes," one user warned, underscoring the technological hurdles that still exist.
๐ป AI-generated content constitutes over 90% of new short-form media in China.
โฝ Viewers describe these videos as low-quality, jokingly referring to them as "brainrot."
โ "Human-created content barely exists today to begin with" - highlights concerns about originality.
As China's media landscape continues to evolve, the impact of AI technology on traditional creators cannot be overlooked. Only time will reveal how deeply AI will embed itself in this vibrant industry.
Experts predict that AI-generated media will account for a staggering 90% of short-form content in China within the next two years. This trend is driven by the insatiable demand for quick and engaging videos among young viewers, who seem more inclined to embrace this technology over traditional formats. If current patterns continue, we could see a 50% drop in opportunities for human actors and filmmakers, as studios shift resources toward automation to cut costs and meet audience preferences. As long as these AI outputs can maintain viewer engagement, thereโs a strong chance the entertainment industry will see a complete overhaul in how stories are told, potentially leading us toward a wholly AI-led narrative landscape.
Looking back to the 19th-century advent of photography, we see a similar upheaval in the artistic community. Many traditional painters expressed disbelief that a camera could capture human emotion or brilliance on canvas. Yet, photography evolved to coexist with painting, influencing styles and creating new artistic movements. Just as that technology fundamentally altered how art was produced and perceived, AI-generated videos are reshaping the entertainment sphere. As we navigate this transformation today, the initial resistance from traditional talents may yield to a collaborative future where human creators and their AI counterparts share the spotlight.