AI-generated videos are already displacing actors and livestreamers across China's entertainment industry

AI-generated videos are threatening actors, influencers, and livestreamers in China, with some productions already replacing human performers. Since ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 launched, digital performers can produce better videos faster and cheaper than humans. In Q1 2026, about 128,000 short dramas were published in China, three times the total for all of 2025. Ninety-five percent were AI-generated, according to the China Netcasting Services Association. The industry employs 690,000 people directly, and 15 million list livestreaming as their primary job. This video (via Hubei Daily) shows an example. There are also more realistic videos.

One minute of AI video now costs just $90 to $120, about ten percent of what production with human actors used to cost, Tsinghua University professor Shen Yang told the Financial Times. Some performers are being forced to "distil" their voice and likeness into AI tools before getting fired. AI-related labor disputes have also risen over the past two to three years, lawyers say. With Seedance 2.5 and Wan 3.0, AI video quality has jumped again.

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