At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on September 17th, part of the "15th Five-Year Plan Initial Steps" themed briefing series, Wang Xiaoliang, Director of the Network Audiovisual Program Management Department at the National Radio and Television Administration, outlined the regulatory body's firm position on content creation priorities.

Between January and August of this year, a staggering 430,000 micro-dramas were launched online, representing a 13-fold increase compared to the entirety of last year. Notably, AI-generated productions accounted for more than 90 percent of this output, reflecting the widespread integration of artificial intelligence technology into the creation of short-form series.

The application of AI has unlocked significant opportunities for micro-dramas, including improved creative expression and enhanced cost efficiency. However, it has also introduced fresh challenges related to content quality and the protection of individual rights. The administration's stance is unequivocal: live-action drama is the mainstay of premium content production and will receive robust policy support.

Given the rapid growth and high proportion of AI-generated dramas, the regulator intends to balance the encouragement of innovation with the defense of fundamental standards. All AI-produced works will now be required to carry visible labeling, while platforms will be held to stringent bottom-line requirements concerning the authorized use of portraits and voice recordings. The entire production process must be subject to systematic oversight.

Fundamentally, the administration asserts that AI serves as a tool while human creators remain the primary agents of artistic production. The faster AI-produced dramas develop, the more rigorous the content review mechanisms must become to ensure quality and accountability.