Official data from a recent State Council Information Office press conference on the "15th Five-Year Plan" reveals that 430,000 micro-dramas went live in the first eight months of this year, a 13-fold surge compared to all of last year. Among these, AI-generated productions accounted for more than 90% of the total output.
Speaking at the event, Wang Xiaoliang, head of the Network Audiovisual Program Management Department of the National Radio and Television Administration, noted that micro-dramas have captured strong public enthusiasm. The national user base for these short-form series has now surpassed 800 million, and in 2025, the market size of micro-dramas is projected to exceed 100 billion yuan.
Alongside this explosive market growth, artificial intelligence technology has become deeply embedded in the creative process of micro-dramas. Wang stated that in the first eight months of this year, 430,000 micro-dramas were released, with AI-driven productions comprising over 90% of them. The adoption of AI technology has opened up new possibilities for innovative storytelling, cost reduction, and efficiency gains, but it also introduces fresh challenges related to content quality and rights protection.
"Our stance on this issue is clear: live-action dramas remain the cornerstone of premium content creation and deserve strong support," Wang explained. "We are advancing the 'Micro-Drama Quality Creation and Distribution Plan,' guiding platforms to establish dedicated sections for live-action series and providing substantial financial incentives to ensure that excellent works gain market traction and deliver returns."
Addressing the evolution and governance of AI-produced dramas, Wang emphasized a dual approach of fostering innovation while upholding safeguards. AI-generated content must carry clear labeling, and platforms are required to strictly enforce guidelines on the authorized use of personal portraits and voices, implementing comprehensive oversight throughout the entire production pipeline.
Ultimately, AI is a tool, and humans are the primary creators. The faster AI-produced dramas grow, the more critical it becomes to maintain rigorous content standards, which hinges on effective regulation. "This year, adopting a problem-oriented approach, we have prioritized the removal of harmful, vulgar, child-inappropriate, and infringing content. A total of 68,000 non-compliant micro-dramas have been taken offline across the web, and over 1,200 violative accounts have been processed on platforms, with more than 90% of these actions targeting AI-generated material," Wang stated.
On the regulatory front, the highly anticipated "Administrative Measures for the Development of Micro-Dramas" officially took effect on September 1st of this year. The sector also launched its unified "Moss Flower" label, an identifying mark inspired by the design of the tai flower. With dedicated regulations and a recognizable symbol in place, the micro-drama industry has now entered a new phase of orderly growth and standardized management.
Notably, the new measures stipulate that micro-dramas produced using artificial intelligence must comply with relevant national regulations. Producers and broadcasters are obligated to display a prominent AI-generated content notice at a clearly visible spot in every episode. Wang stressed that platforms bear a fundamental duty for upholding content standards, and next steps will focus on intensifying accountability to foster a cleaner industry ecosystem.
Efforts will also accelerate to advance the premium, mass-market, and global development of Chinese micro-dramas. This includes cultivating a richer supply of quality works, broadening public participation, and strengthening the international export of Chinese micro-dramas. Central to these ambitions is leveraging the momentum provided by AI technology to preserve and expand the sector's leading edge in global markets.