#SHOWBIZ: China pledges 'real money' to save live-action dramas amidst AI surge
BEIJING: Human actors in China are getting a much-needed lifeline as authorities move to protect traditional television and digital media from an overwhelming flood of artificial intelligence.
Beijing authorities are stepping in to protect traditional television and digital media from an overwhelming surge of artificial intelligence. The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) has pledged direct financial assistance for live-action productions, aiming to preserve authentic storytelling and provide work opportunities for real actors.
In the first eight months of 2026, China released 430,000 micro-dramas, a 13-fold increase compared to the entire previous year, with over 90% of these creations relying on AI. While AI-generated shows have gained popularity due to their quick turnaround times and low production costs, human performers are suffering financially, with pay cuts and job scarcity becoming common.
In response, regulators are implementing stricter rules for digital platforms, requiring clear labeling of AI-generated content and respecting image and voice rights. Over 68,000 micro-dramas have been pulled for copyright infringement, piracy, and inappropriate content, with the majority originating from AI. The NRTA director emphasized that live-action dramas are crucial for quality productions and should receive strong support, while maintaining that ethics and creative integrity must remain paramount.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
