iQIYI to Focus on AI and Decentralized Social Media
Chinese streaming service iQIYI is doubling down on its AI strategy and initiating a shift towards a decentralized social media model. CEO Gong Yu highlighted these strategies aim to lower content creation barriers and grow the creator community.
Chinese streaming giant iQIYI has announced a firm commitment to its AI strategy, alongside an accelerated transition towards a decentralized social media model. Founder and CEO Gong Yu emphasized these dual focuses during a recent creator conference.
The company plans to deepen AI integration in live-action production and AI-generated film creation. iQIYI believes these strategies will reduce the barriers to content creation and expand the pool of creators, thereby enhancing the platform's content vitality.
Gong Yu dismissed concerns about AI replacing humans, stating that AI will only displace those who do not adapt. He compared AI's impact to major historical inventions, noting its potential to free filmmakers from creative constraints. Previously, in April, he indicated iQIYI's response to AI-driven changes involved decentralization, moving from a model where a few decide audience preferences to one fostering creator and user communities.
The company anticipates AI will significantly lower content production costs and timelines, potentially increasing the number of creators and works by over a hundredfold. This necessitates a decentralized approach where creators can more directly monetize their content. While iQIYI will step back from some aspects, it intends to retain involvement in producing certain high-profile content.