Business and Money Tips

China's AI-microdrama explosion is extraordinary. About 128,000 microdramas were released in Q1 2026, roughly 122,000 of them fully AI-generated . Production costs have fallen dramatically: one reported comparison puts an episode at around RMB5,000 using AI versus RMB50,000 traditionally, while production time can fall from weeks to days. But the backlash has arrived. Hongguo reported checking 15,000 works and taking action against hundreds of problematic titles; Douyin's short-drama copyright centre reportedly removed 6,087 micro/animated dramas linked to piracy, while Kuaishou examined more than 8,000 AI animated dramas and removed 900+ problematic works. The problems include stolen faces and voices, unauthorised use of IP, copied story structures and characters, and AI-generated material without proper authorisation . Peach Blossom Hairpin , for example, was removed after allegations that people's photographs and likenesses had been used without permission. AI Can M...