Discussions on the intersection of artificial intelligence and culture took center stage at the Forum on Building up China’s Cultural Strength 2026, held over two days in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. The event, which commenced on Thursday, gathered officials, scholars, and industry experts to explore cultural innovation driven by AI, while also emphasizing the imperative of managing associated risks.

Li Shulei, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department, delivered the keynote address. Li highlighted the profound impact of the current wave of technological and industrial transformation, particularly AI, on cultural creation, production, dissemination, and consumption. He noted that these advancements have significantly reshaped media formats, public opinion ecosystems, and the broader cultural industries. Li advocated for accelerating the integration of culture with technology and promoting digital and intelligent transformations within cultural development. At the same time, he cautioned on the necessity of reinforcing mechanisms aimed at risk mitigation and managing the challenges posed by AI applications to ensure that its development benefits society. He further underscored the enduring importance of traditional artistic creation grounded in individual talent and inspiration, emphasizing that technology should remain a tool serving humanity rather than supplanting it.

Huang Kunming, also a member of the CPC Political Bureau and secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, participated in the forum and delivered a speech reinforcing these themes.

Among the experts, Sun Maosong, professor of computer science and technology at Tsinghua University, described generative AI powered by large language models as representing a fundamental shift in knowledge production. He pointed to the vast potential these technologies hold for economic, cultural, and societal applications. However, Sun recognized the limitations of current large language models, particularly regarding authenticity, reliability, and security. He stressed the importance of maintaining human oversight in the knowledge creation and dissemination process. “Humans should always maintain a leading role,” Sun said, emphasizing that generative AI ought to function as a supportive assistant and collaborator rather than assume a primary role.

The forum took place against the backdrop of rapid progress in AI-enabled cultural production within China. Notably, the country’s first animated film created entirely with AI-generated content, The Reunion Journey, underwent a test screening in Beijing in December. More recently, Bona Film Group obtained regulatory approval to release the AI-generated animated science fiction film Sanxingdui: Future Memories in theaters nationwide.

In addition to AI-focused discussions, participants highlighted the significance of cultural heritage preservation. Wang Jun, a research curator at the Palace Museum, stressed the importance of recognizing traditional settlement heritage and cultural landscapes as vital components of cultural legacy. Wang called for their inclusion in legislative frameworks aimed at protecting cultural heritage, signaling a broader commitment to safeguarding China’s cultural patrimony amid rapid technological change.