Artificial intelligence-generated actors are increasingly being deployed in China’s entertainment and advertising sectors, raising discussions about their impact on employment within the industry. These AI performers, originally popularized through online short dramas, are now entering commercial advertising and other media formats, providing production teams with a more cost-effective and flexible alternative to human actors.
Li Xiaolong, a young actor and student at the Shanghai Theatre Academy who stars in the AI-driven short play *My Dual Control*, highlighted concerns that the rise of AI performers could further reduce job opportunities for human actors, especially as film and television projects face tighter budgets. Li shared an account from a friend working in Hengdian, Zhejiang province, one of China’s primary film and television production hubs, who observed a decline in available roles for traditional actors. Some performers reportedly have left the profession or shifted to working as costumed entertainers at tourist destinations, reflecting the broader challenges faced by those in the field.
From a production standpoint, AI actors offer advantages such as greater control over facial expressions and movements through text-based programming, enabling easier revisions and fewer retakes. This flexibility contrasts with the unpredictability and logistical demands of working with human performers. However, Li noted that the use of AI actors tends to favor those who already have a significant personal following, making it harder for lesser-known human actors to secure roles. Jobs that once paid day rates exceeding 1,000 yuan (approximately $150) have become more difficult to obtain.
Despite these pressures, Li and others believe that human actors bring irreplaceable qualities to their craft. Acting, according to a teacher Li recalled, involves “living people performing living people for living people,” encompassing in-depth character research and emotional nuance that AI has yet to replicate fully. While AI-generated performances might suffice for storylines where actors’ emotional complexity is less central, audiences often continue to prefer the realism and depth that human performers provide.
The commercial success of AI actors can be seen in figures like Fang Taozi, a virtual actress whose image—marked by blunt bangs, long straight black hair, and two distinct moles—has gained recognition on short-video platforms. Fang first garnered broader attention through the AI drama *The Laid-off Girl*, which premiered on Douyin on June 12. By late August, her Douyin account had amassed over 510,000 followers, and fashion magazine *Cosmo Crush* featured her on Weibo, signaling the entry of AI characters into celebrity and advertising spaces traditionally dominated by humans.
For advertisers, AI characters with established followings offer a consistent and easily modifiable presence, avoiding many logistical challenges presented by human talent. Advertiser rates for Fang Taozi, as listed on Douyin’s influencer marketing platform Xingtu, reportedly range from 168,000 yuan for videos up to 20 seconds, to 258,000 yuan for videos longer than one minute, though these figures may not fully represent actual earnings.
Production costs for AI short dramas vary but have been estimated at roughly 80,000 yuan per minute, depending on complexity. The DataEye Research Institute projects that China’s market for AI short dramas—including animated formats—could surpass 40 billion yuan in 2026, a growth of about 138 percent from the previous year. Although these figures encompass the broader category of AI-driven content, not just AI actors, they suggest rapid expansion in the sector.
Hou Wenjie, secretary-general of the Shanghai-based Yu Ce Think Tank, noted that AI actors have moved beyond experimental stages and are now generating tangible commercial value. As this technology evolves, the entertainment industry faces ongoing questions about balancing innovation with employment and artistic expression.