China’s animation landscape witnessed a groundbreaking moment with the premiere of “Qianqiu Shisong” (《千秋诗颂》), the nation’s inaugural AI-generated animated series. Airing its first episode on Chinese state television on February 26, 2024, the series stands as a testament to the transformative power of artificial intelligence in animation production.
Developed through collaboration between the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and state broadcaster China Media Group, “Qianqiu Shisong” represents a significant leap forward in content creation. Utilizing the innovative CMG Media GPT generative AI model, the series draws from a rich tapestry of over 200 classic Chinese poems, commonly featured in educational curricula across primary, secondary, and higher education levels.
Crafted with the educational needs and interests of young viewers in mind, each episode of “Qianqiu Shisong” spans approximately seven minutes. By seamlessly blending timeless poetic themes with captivating visuals, the series breathes new life into traditional literary works, offering a fresh perspective on Chinese culture and heritage.
The capabilities of CMG Media GPT extend far beyond mere content generation. Equipped with sophisticated image and character generation technologies, coupled with text-to-video synthesis capabilities, the AI model effectively slashes production timelines. Remarkably, the series was produced in just four months, a significant reduction from the conventional eight-month timeframe, all within the confines of the same budgetary constraints.
The impact of “Qianqiu Shisong” transcends linguistic boundaries, as evidenced by the debut of an English-dubbed version titled “Poems of Timeless Acclaim” on CGTN on March 10. Plans are underway to make the series accessible in multiple languages, further amplifying its reach and cultural significance on the global stage.
As China continues to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in creative industries, “Qianqiu Shisong” stands as a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation, ushering in a new era of animated storytelling that captivates audiences both at home and abroad.
