According to the China Netcasting Services Association, approximately 128,000 short dramas were published in China in the first quarter of 2026, a threefold increase from the previous year. The association notes that 95% of these works were AI-generated. This surge in AI-produced content is driving down production costs; Tsinghua University professor Shen Yang estimates that one minute of AI video costs between $90 and $120, roughly a tenth of traditional production expenses. However, the industry's growth has raised concerns about job displacement, with reports suggesting performers are being asked to hand over their voice and likeness to AI tools before being laid off.