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| Zhang Songwen Responds to AI Concerns in Film and TV Drama. (Credits: Weibo) |
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence in film and television has sparked widespread discussion across the entertainment industry, but Chinese actor Zhang Songwen believes one essential element of acting remains firmly out of reach for technology: genuine human emotion.
The topic surfaced during the Golden Forest Blossom Night 2026 red carpet event in Shenzhen on 13 March, where Zhang Songwen spoke to reporters about the growing presence of AI tools in drama and film production. As speculation continues about whether advanced digital technology could eventually replace actors, the veteran performer offered a calm but confident response.
According to Zhang Songwen, actors have little reason to feel anxious about technological change.
While AI may be able to replicate visuals that appear polished or technically flawless, he argued that the true value of acting lies in something far less predictable — lived experience.
In his view, the emotional depth that performers bring to a role is shaped by personal history and instinctive reactions, something technology cannot fully imitate.
He pointed to subtle behaviours that occur naturally during performances.
These include sudden emotional shifts, unconscious movements such as rubbing one’s hands when feeling nervous, or a smile that reveals hidden tension beneath the surface.
Such small imperfections, he explained, are not flaws but rather the essence of believable acting.
“Those tiny details come from a person’s life experience,” Zhang Songwen noted during the interview. “
They are difficult to replicate because they are part of who someone is.”
For the actor, these spontaneous moments give performances their authenticity. Without them, a character risks feeling mechanical rather than human.
His remarks arrive at a time when the Chinese entertainment sector is increasingly exploring AI-assisted production tools, from visual effects and digital doubles to voice synthesis.
While these technologies have improved efficiency in many areas of filmmaking, they have also raised questions about how far automation might reshape creative professions.
Zhang Songwen’s perspective reflects a broader belief within the industry that technology should support artistic work rather than replace it.
Online reactions to his comments quickly spread across Chinese social media platforms, where fans and industry observers shared a range of opinions.
Many viewers praised the actor’s stance, saying his remarks captured what makes acting compelling in the first place.
Supporters argued that AI may reproduce appearance or voice patterns, but it cannot replicate the emotional memory that performers draw upon when portraying complex characters.
Others agreed that technology has a place in modern filmmaking but stressed that human interpretation remains the heart of storytelling.
Some netizens, however, took a more cautious view.
A minority suggested that while AI cannot fully replace actors today, the technology is advancing quickly and may reshape how productions operate in the future.
For them, the conversation is less about replacement and more about how actors adapt alongside new tools.
Industry professionals also joined the discussion, noting that audiences still connect most strongly with performances that feel raw, personal and emotionally grounded.
For many fans of Chinese dramas, Zhang Songwen’s comments served as a reminder that the appeal of great acting often lies in its unpredictability — the small human details that make a character feel real.
Whether AI becomes a larger part of television and film production remains to be seen.
But if the reaction to Zhang Songwen’s remarks is any indication, the debate over technology and creativity in entertainment is only just beginning.
What do you think about the role of AI in the acting world? Could technology ever match genuine human performance, or will actors always remain at the centre of storytelling?