Mar 18, 2024

China's state-run broadcaster broadcasts the country's first AI development animation.

China's state-run broadcaster China Media Group recently aired the country's first animated series produced using generative AI models in all production areas. Titled [Qianqiu Shisong,] the series includes 26 seven-minute episodes, which feature animated renditions of traditional Chinese poems and songs. The program was produced using China Media's CMG Media GPT and a machine learning model jointly developed by the network and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL). [The series launched with the ribbon-cutting of CMG and SAIL's new AI studio.

SAIL researcher Wang Yanfeng said at the launch of the facility:

Faced with a great need in the country, CMG applied novel AI technology to develop a new production force. We started the project six months ago, and CMG used its vast database to employ text-to-video AI technology to produce the animated series we present today.

The CMG Media GPT was trained using traditional Chinese poetry and a large amount of video and audio material from China Media's catalog; according to SAIL, the model features historically accurate architectural designs and clothing details, and traditional Chinese ink painting-style images and scenes The company says it is capable of creating the following.

In the release, SAIL explains:

CMG Media GPT provides animation producers with a low-cost, efficient concept design tool for character and scene design.

According to the institute, artificial intelligence was used in all stages of the development and production process, from design to video generation to post-production; SAIL states that this model can significantly reduce the time and cost of animation production.

Shen Haixiong, deputy director of the Communist Party of China's Propaganda Department and head of the China Media Group, elaborated on the broadcaster's intention to fully embrace artificial intelligence technology in a WeChat post, writing:

We dig deeper into innovation, the Internet and AI embracing ...... building a 'powerful engine' and 'driving force' for a new type of international mainstream media."