AI Actors Impact Job Prospects in Chinese Film Industry

Concerns about job security are growing as AI-generated actors increasingly take on roles in the film industry, according to reports. Li Xiaolong, a young actor and student at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, expressed worries that the rise of AI performers could limit opportunities for human actors, especially as production budgets become tighter.

Industry insiders have noted a decline in the number of actors working in Hengdian, Zhejiang province, a major film production hub. Some have left the profession or transitioned to costumed performer roles at tourist attractions, according to a friend of Li Xiaolong.

AI performers offer production teams more control over expressions and movements through text-based instructions, while typically costing less than human actors, according to Li Xiaolong. This has also made it harder for actors without a strong personal following to secure opportunities.