China's state TV debuts its first AI-generated cartoon series

China’s state TV debuts its first AI-generated cartoon series

China’s state TV recently debuted the country’s first animation series made with artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Key points:

On Feb. 26, state broadcaster China Media Group (CMG) began airing “Qianqiu Shisong,” a 26-episode series showcasing classical Chinese poetry and narratives, reported the South China Morning Post.
CMG Media GPT, an AI model co-developed by SMG and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL), integrates generative AI tools into each episode spanning approximately 7 minutes.
The move aligns with China’s broader initiative to incorporate AI across state-owned enterprises.

The details:

CMG Media GPT is a text-to-video tool similar to OpenAI’s Sora, which was trained on vast video and audio datasets. The tool generated the show’s artwork in a style that is reminiscent of ink-wash paintings and ancient architectural designs.
The show’s launch coincided with the inauguration of CMG and SAIL’s AI studio, highlighting a strategic investment in AI-driven content creation.
In a statement, Shen Haixiong, head of CMG, urged wider AI adoption to build the next generation of media platforms: “We will delve deeper into technological innovation, embrace the internet and AI … [and] build a ‘powerful engine’ and ‘driving force’ for a new type of international mainstream media.”
China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has been encouraging central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to prioritize AI implementation. While the state-owned CMG Group is not a central SOE, it joins other Chinese companies, including Big Tech firms, in embracing AI.
The substantial assets of central SOEs worth 86.6 trillion yuan ($12 trillion) and the growing market value of China-listed internet firms focused on AI worth 11.1 trillion yuan ($1.54 trillion) underscore the scale of China’s investment in the sector.

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