Generative AI Disrupts Asian Entertainment and Film Production

Generative AI is rapidly transforming the entertainment landscape across Asia, particularly in China and Singapore. In China, the shift has reached a critical mass, with over 95% of microdramas released in the first quarter of 2026 being AI-generated. This transition has caused significant labor disruptions, leading to redundancies for actors and the emptying of production studios in Hengdian.

ByteDance, Kuaishou Technology, and Alibaba Group have accelerated this trend by launching advanced video-generation models, including Seedance 2.0, Kling AI, and the open-source HappyHorse. Streaming platforms have adapted their business models to accommodate this shift; for example, iQIYI pivoted its video application into a social media platform specifically for AI-generated content. In Hong Kong, broadcaster TVB released the region's first short drama featuring AI-generated characters.

Singaporean studios Edenstone and FizzDragon have also entered the space, recently releasing AI-generated films including a Mars-themed feature and a zombie short. While proponents claim the technology democratizes storytelling, critics warn of a decline in human creativity. The rapid adoption in Asia is partly attributed to looser copyright regulations than those in the West, although ByteDance recently agreed to strengthen safeguards following a truce with the Motion Picture Association.