AI Can Decentralize Film and TV Production for the Better, iQiyi CEO Says

Why It Matters

AI‑driven cost reductions and faster cycles will flood the market with new creators and content, forcing a fundamental rethink of revenue models and competitive dynamics in the long‑form video industry.

Key Takeaways

• iQiyi launched Nadou Pro, an AI‑powered film/TV production platform
• AI cuts unit content costs tenfold, increasing creators tenfold
• Decentralization lets creators own copyrights and monetize directly
• iQiyi offers 20% subsidy for mid‑length AI‑generated dramas

Pulse Analysis

The rise of generative AI is reshaping media the way the internet once democratized publishing. For Chinese streaming giant iQiyi, the technology promises to dismantle the high‑cost, long‑cycle model that has long limited film and television output. By integrating large‑scale models such as Qizhi, Dreamina, and Alibaba’s Wan into its Nadou Pro suite, iQiyi equips creators with end‑to‑end tools—from scriptwriting to post‑production—without the need for traditional studio infrastructure. This mirrors the broader industry trend where AI lowers entry barriers, enabling a broader pool of talent to compete for audience attention.

Nadou Pro’s arsenal of roughly 70 AI agents covers every stage of production, allowing creators to generate professional‑grade long‑form content with just natural‑language prompts. The platform’s open‑access philosophy, combined with a 20% subsidy for mid‑length AI‑generated dramas, signals iQiyi’s intent to accelerate adoption and expand its content library. By bundling AI tools with IP assets, digital assets, and monetization pathways, iQiyi creates a moat that differentiates its offering from generic video‑generation services, positioning itself as a one‑stop hub for both emerging and established creators.

The strategic implications extend beyond iQiyi’s balance sheet. Gong Yu’s “one‑one‑two” law—costs down tenfold, creators up tenfold, works up a hundredfold—embodies the Jevons paradox, where efficiency gains spur greater overall consumption. As production costs collapse, the streaming market could see an explosion of niche and experimental titles, intensifying competition not only from traditional long‑form rivals but also from short‑form platforms vying for limited viewer attention. Over the next five years, AI‑generated titles may account for a substantial share of top‑ranked content, reshaping advertising models, talent pipelines, and the very economics of film and television production.