TechCNA Explains: Are AI films a novelty or are they here to stay?

AI-generated films are becoming realistic enough to make viewers look twice. The technology is making filmmaking faster, cheaper and more accessible, prompting more local creators to experiment, while raising questions about human creativity and jobs. Of 128,000 short dramas released in China this year, 95% were AI-generated. Market research estimates the global industry was worth US$571 million in 2025.