In China, AI now produces 90% of mini-series for smartphones and is causing creators' revenues to plummet

As winter approaches, workers in Beijing are replacing old water pipes while enjoying AI-generated mini-series on their smartphones. The Chinese National Radio and Television Administration reported that over 90% of mini-series uploaded from January to August were AI-generated, a significant increase from the previous year. In total, 430,000 mini-series were produced, marking a thirteen-fold rise compared to 2025. These short dramas emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic when traditional filming was halted, leading to a surge in short video consumption. By 2024, the market for these series surpassed the Chinese cinema box office for the first time.