Shanghai, China – Chinese online video content is increasingly recognized globally for its exceptionally high production quality and polished aesthetic, a phenomenon attributed to the widespread and advanced integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in its creation. This trend, highlighted by commentator Linus Ekenstam, underscores China's lead in leveraging AI across its society, particularly in media production.
"A lot of people outside of China have a hard time coping with the fact that Chinese online videos have a trend to be SUPER highly polished," Ekenstam stated in a recent social media post. This polish is largely a result of sophisticated AI video generation tools developed by Chinese tech firms. Companies like Hailuo AI, Wan AI, Hunyuan Video, and Kling AI offer advanced capabilities, including realistic avatars, multilingual dubbing, and cinematic control, significantly reducing production costs and time.
These AI tools enable creators to transform text, images, or scripts into professional-quality videos with minimal effort, featuring lifelike animations, precise camera movements, and consistent scene storytelling. For instance, Alibaba's Wan 2.2 allows for detailed control over lighting, lens, and shot composition, while MiniMax's Hailuo AI is noted for generating hyper-realistic human movements. Such advancements are democratizing video production, making high-quality content accessible to a broader range of creators.
Ekenstam also noted the cultural significance of labeling content with "No AI, no CGI" in China. "It's also very culturally accurate to put 'No AI, no CGI' when appropriate in Chinese culture," he explained. This practice suggests a societal value placed on authenticity and human craftsmanship, even as AI becomes integral to the creative process. This distinction may serve to reassure audiences about the originality or effort behind certain productions.
The pervasive integration of AI extends beyond media, with China demonstrating a long-standing commitment to AI development and application across various sectors. "You need to understand their entire society is infused with AI far longer ahead then the west. They are more used to it than us," Ekenstam added. This deep societal embedding of AI has fostered an environment where advanced technologies are readily adopted and innovated upon, propelling the nation to the forefront of AI-driven content creation and broader technological advancement.