{
  "id": 19339627,
  "title": "AI microdramas cause ‘aesthetic fatigue’, professor tells Macau forum",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/ai-microdramas-cause-aesthetic-fatigue-professor-tells-macau-forum-19339627",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-10T13:28:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3373984/ai-microdramas-cause-aesthetic-fatigue-professor-tells-macau-forum"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Beijing-based professor Zhang Lanshan cautioned at a Macau forum that formulaic AI-generated microdramas could stifle creativity and innovation. While audiences enjoy predictable content, it risks cultural homogenisation and artistic decline. Experts from Hong Kong and other countries echoed concerns over AI's potential to spread disinformation and cultural uniformity. Microdramas, typically 60-120 seconds long, are popular on social media, but their standardized structure may undermine diversity and audience interest over time. Zhang warned that AI models like Jimeng and Xiaoyunque, trained on viral content, could lead to an oversaturation of the same formulaic material. This not only undermines artistic value but also causes \"aesthetic fatigue\" among consumers. She stressed that AI should assist creativity, not replace it. Wu Qiong, from Tsinghua University, echoed these worries, cautioning that AI's tendency to find commonalities among civilisations could further erode cultural diversity. With Chinese making up only 1.1% of global online content, this homogenisation could be problematic. Zhao Hai, from the Chinese Institute of Hong Kong, highlighted the risks of AI-generated answers, suggesting that cultural differences could be misinterpreted by the technology, potentially leading to biased or manipulated outputs. Particularly in Western societies, where AI-driven disinformation poses a significant threat, Zhao called for maintaining cultural openness and human-centred AI ethics.",
  "summary": "Formulaic AI-generated microdramas risk stifling human creativity and innovation, a Beijing professor has warned at a forum in Macau. Zhang Lanshan, a professor at the School of Digital Media and Design Arts at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, said that while audiences loved such standardised content, it posed a risk to diversity and artistic endeavour. Experts, including…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}