Chinese microdrama creators turn to AI despite job loss concerns

Ultra-short video series “Strange Mirror of Mountains and Seas” is filled with dragon-like monsters, handsome protagonists and plenty of melodrama — almost all of it, including the lifelike human characters, created by artificial intelligence.

With over 50 million views, it is one of a growing number of AI-generated “microdramas”, soap opera-like series with episodes as short as 30 seconds, that are taking China by storm.

Microdrama production companies are increasingly harnessing AI to replace actors and screenwriters with algorithms, raising…