Youku President: AI Can Enhance, But Not Replace Actors
Youku President Wu Qian emphasizes AI's role in film production but deems human actors irreplaceable. She highlights humanity and emotion as foundational to content creation.
Youku President Wu Qian has stated that while artificial intelligence (AI) offers new possibilities for creative work and enhances production efficiency, it cannot replace the unique contribution of human actors. Speaking at the launch of the "HappyHorse AI Film and Television Practical Camp," she stressed the importance of embracing AI without blindly trusting technology.
According to Wu Qian, AI is impacting the film and television industry at an unprecedented pace. It can assist in areas like ideation, visual design, and post-production, shortening traditionally time-consuming and resource-intensive processes. However, she reiterated that the true value of films and TV shows stems from human experiences, emotions, and presence, not solely from technological advancements or visual spectacle.
Wu Qian clearly articulated her position that AI cannot substitute human actors, and Youku will continue to focus on developing and employing them. The value of human actors lies in their ability to interpret and convey the complexity of characters, their emotional depth, and the nuances of human relationships, which makes content resonant and alive. While AI can streamline production, it cannot fill the void in human experience and emotional intelligence.
Looking ahead, Wu Qian envisions a future film industry built on human-machine collaboration, where AI handles efficiency-driven and process-oriented tasks. However, she believes the core value of content and its pricing should remain in the hands of humans – creators and actors – who bring creativity and emotional expression. Future competition, she suggested, will not be about the technology itself, but about the ability to combine creativity with technical expertise, a capability she refers to as being a "super creator."
Alibaba recently launched its video generation model, HappyHorse 1.1, as part of its broader AI initiatives. Concurrently, the "HorsePower·AI Film and Television Competition" is underway, aiming to foster AI's use in creative content production and identify emerging talent in the field.