iQiyi’s Bold AI Strategy: A Future of Automated Content?
iQiyi, China’s leading video streaming service with over 400 million monthly active users, recently declared its ambition to have AI generate most of its films and series by 2031. This was announced at its annual content presentation in Beijing, where CEO Gong Yu emphasized the opportunity at hand: “It’s a once-in-a-decade opportunity. We have to go with the tide.”
The Significance of iQiyi’s Vision
iQiyi’s decision is monumental, as it operates under Baidu and is a key player in the video streaming oligopoly alongside Alibaba and Tencent. In a space where user growth is pivotal, it is crucial that iQiyi’s pivot towards AI-generated content influences not just its own business model but also sets a precedent for other platforms in the industry.
The Competitive Landscape
iQiyi has struggled against competitors like Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, which has significantly shifted user focus from long-form content to short-form videos. In the first quarter of 2026, iQiyi reported a worrying 13% drop in revenue amid this competition. The company is not only reconsidering its content strategies but has also applied for a secondary listing in Hong Kong to boost capital and potentially stabilize its financial standing.
Entering the Future with Nadou Pro
Central to iQiyi’s plan is Nadou Pro, a comprehensive suite of AI tools designed to streamline virtually every aspect of film production—from scriptwriting and storyboarding to video generation and final editing. Rather than solely relying on its proprietary models, Nadou Pro integrates technologies from rival companies including Alibaba, ByteDance, and Google’s Seedance 2.0. This collaborative approach may bolster its offerings and attract diverse talent.
Incentives to Attract Creators
To incentivize creators, iQiyi is providing additional financial benefits: those producing content through Nadou Pro will enjoy a 20% bonus on generated advertising and subscription revenues. An inaugural lineup of 16 AI-generated films, primarily in the science fiction and anime genres, is also planned, with a target to launch a commercially successful AI film by summer 2026.
A Kooky Experiment or a Sustainable Future?
The question remains: will viewers pay to experience AI-generated content? Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have successfully integrated AI-created videos, primarily because the cost of user engagement is negligible. However, transferring this casual tolerance from short clips to full-length films is a challenging leap.
The Risks Involved
While Gong Yu assured that iQiyi would continue investing in traditional production, the reality is stark; the emphasis is clearly shifting toward AI-generated content. This shift could alienate core audiences who crave the nuanced storytelling found in C-dramas and Korean anime—viewers who typically resist what critics term “AI slop.”
Implications for Professionals
The most likely casualties in this evolving landscape are the producers and directors who once defined the creative process. iQiyi’s model resembles YouTube’s, offering independent creators a share of advertising revenue through AI-generated content, further pushing established professionals to the sidelines or into supervisory roles.
Conclusion: A Gamble Worth Taking?
As iQiyi embarks on this ambitious AI-centric journey, the industry’s eyes are watching closely. Will this gamble pay off, or will it lead to a loss of quality and engagement? The stakes are high, and only time will reveal the true impact of iQiyi’s pioneering foray into AI-generated entertainment. With so much at stake, the question now becomes how well iQiyi can balance innovation with the artistic integrity that has garnered it a loyal audience.