China pledges to regulate AI micro-dramas while supporting live-action films

Regulating the AI boom

China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) has officially reiterated its support for live-action micro-dramas. While the government acknowledges the rise of AI-generated content, it is prioritizing the preservation of human-led production models. The regulator wants to ensure that technology serves as a supporting tool rather than a total replacement for human creativity.

As reported by Global Times, the NRTA is calling on platforms to implement mandatory human reviews for all content before it goes live. This measure is designed to provide oversight in an industry that is rapidly shifting toward automated workflows. The goal is to maintain quality control while allowing for technological innovation in storytelling.

A key focus of this new regulatory stance is the crackdown on AI-assisted plagiarism. The government intends to monitor and penalize unauthorized remakes that use AI to replicate existing works. By enforcing these rules, the NRTA hopes to protect the intellectual property of original creators in a crowded digital market.

The shift in production

AI is fundamentally changing the economics of micro-dramas by significantly lowering production costs. For genres like fantasy and time-travel, which traditionally require expensive visual effects, generative AI offers a way to produce high-quality content much faster. This allows smaller teams and individual creators to enter the market with less capital.

However, the NRTA official noted that while AI can generate images, it cannot generate lived experience. The regulator argues that human actors are still essential because they provide emotional expression and independent thinking. The official stated that technology should not replace human thought and creativity in the creative process.

The industry is seeing a systemic shift in how dramas are developed from script to distribution. AI is being integrated into every stage of the chain, including overseas operations and filming. This evolution is creating a new division of labor where AI handles the heavy lifting of post-production while humans guide the narrative direction.

Impact on human actors

The rise of AI-generated content is creating a complex environment for professional actors. Some performers are finding that while AI-generated dramas have their own audience, live-action productions still require human skill. Actors with high-level professional training may be less affected because audiences can still distinguish between human and synthetic performances.

For many others, the shift is more structural than a direct replacement of their jobs. Some actors who previously worked in film and television are moving toward cultural tourism and live performances. These venues often prefer actors with screen experience because they can handle spontaneous interactions with the public more effectively.

The decline in live-action opportunities is also linked to a broader contraction in film and television investment. Factors such as fewer productions entering the filming phase and changing platform policies have reduced demand for actors. AI-generated dramas are adding extra pressure to an already tightening job market for performers.

Protecting personal rights

As AI becomes more integrated into the industry, the protection of personal rights is becoming a primary concern. Experts warn that if the use of celebrity likenesses is not restricted, it could lead to significant issues regarding revenue distribution. Without clear rules, the technology could place undue pressure on ordinary actors who lack the resources to protect their own identities.

There is a growing need for specific regulations regarding the scope of authorization for AI use. This includes determining how long a likeness can be used and how the resulting revenue should be shared between the actor and the AI company. These rules are necessary to ensure that human performers are not exploited by automated systems.

The NRTA has pledged to step up efforts to crack down on the unauthorized use of individuals' voices and likenesses. By establishing these boundaries, the government aims to create a framework where AI can coexist with human talent. The focus remains on creating a balanced environment where technology enhances the industry without erasing the rights of the people who power it.