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| Chinese Actor Jin Dong Calls AI Both a Challenge and a Potential Opportunity for Creators. (Image via: Sohu) |
Chinese actor Jin Dong has weighed in on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in the entertainment sector, warning that the technology could reshape how films and television dramas are made. Speaking during interviews on 4 March alongside the annual sessions of China’s national political meetings, the actor and member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) addressed growing concerns and curiosity surrounding AI’s place in the creative industry.
During the discussion, Jin Dong made it clear that artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept for film and television production. Instead, it has begun influencing multiple stages of the creative process — from technical production work to the early development of scripts and storytelling ideas.
According to the actor, conversations about AI have become increasingly common across the industry. Directors, writers, producers and performers are all trying to understand how emerging technologies might shape the next chapter of film and television.
For many creators, the key question remains the same: will AI strengthen creative output or gradually weaken the role of human artistry?
Jin Dong believes that answer cannot be reached without first understanding how the technology actually works. He argued that judging AI purely from the outside risks missing both its potential advantages and its possible drawbacks.
Instead, he suggested that professionals in the film and drama sector should take the time to study and learn the technology directly. Only by understanding its mechanisms, he said, can creators decide how to apply it responsibly within their work.
The actor explained that AI’s influence is already visible across areas such as scriptwriting, narrative development and broader production planning.
Because of this, the conversation is no longer limited to technical departments — it now involves almost every creative role within the industry.
His remarks also hinted at a broader issue facing global entertainment: how to balance technological progress with human creativity.
For Jin Dong, mastering the tools does not mean replacing artistic expression, but rather learning how to use them without diluting the emotional and cultural depth that storytelling relies on. Online reactions to Jin Dong’s comments quickly spread across Chinese social media platforms, where fans and industry observers shared mixed but thoughtful responses.
Some viewers welcomed his stance, saying the industry needs a practical approach rather than fear. A number of commenters argued that AI could improve production efficiency, help visual effects teams and support writers during early concept development.
Others, however, voiced concern that overreliance on automated tools might gradually reduce opportunities for human writers and creative professionals. Several netizens stressed that storytelling still depends on lived experience and emotional nuance — something they believe machines cannot fully replicate.
A third group took a middle position, agreeing with Jin Dong’s suggestion that understanding the technology is the first step. For them, AI is neither purely a threat nor a miracle solution, but simply another tool whose value depends on how creators choose to use it.
What do you think — could AI improve film and television storytelling, or should creative industries draw clear limits on its use?