AI and Short Videos in China

May 15, 2026, 12:10
ChinaTechnology

Introduction

Companies in China now use AI to make short dramas for phones.

Main Body

These short videos make a lot of money. In 2024, they made 6.9 billion dollars. Many people in the USA watch them too. Now, AI makes almost 500 new videos every day. AI makes the work fast and cheap. Before, videos took months to make. Now, they take less than 30 days. The cost of making videos in North America is 80% to 90% lower. Jobs are changing. Companies do not need many camera people now. They need 'AI curators' to use AI tools. Writers still work, but they must write very specific notes for the AI.

Conclusion

The industry uses AI to make more videos and save money.

Learning

๐Ÿ•’ Time & Change

Look at how the text talks about Before and Now. This is the best way to describe changes in your life for A2 English.

The Pattern:

  • Before โ†’\rightarrow [Old Situation]
  • Now โ†’\rightarrow [New Situation]

Examples from the text:

  • Before: Videos took months โ†’\rightarrow Now: They take less than 30 days.
  • Before: Needed camera people โ†’\rightarrow Now: Need AI curators.

Simple Rule: Use "Before" to talk about the past and "Now" to talk about the present. It is the easiest way to compare two things without using difficult grammar.

Vocabulary Learning

AI (n.)
Artificial Intelligence, a computer program that can do tasks that usually need human thinking.
Example:AI helps create short videos quickly.
company (n.)
An organization that does business.
Example:The company uses AI to make videos.
money (n.)
Currency used to buy goods or services.
Example:These videos make a lot of money.
watch (v.)
To look at something carefully.
Example:Many people in the USA watch them.
make (v.)
To create or produce.
Example:AI makes the work fast.
fast (adj.)
Moving or happening quickly.
Example:AI makes the work fast.
cheap (adj.)
Low in price.
Example:AI makes the work cheap.
month (n.)
A period of about 30 days.
Example:Before, videos took months to make.
day (n.)
A 24โ€‘hour period.
Example:Now, AI makes almost 500 new videos every day.
job (n.)
Work that someone does for a living.
Example:Jobs are changing.
people (n.)
Human beings.
Example:Many people in the USA watch them.
use (v.)
To employ or apply.
Example:They need AI curators to use AI tools.
save (v.)
To keep money or resources for later.
Example:The industry uses AI to save money.
video (n.)
A recording of moving images.
Example:These short videos make a lot of money.
cost (n.)
The amount of money needed to make something.
Example:The cost of making videos is lower.
work (n.)
The activity of doing something.
Example:AI makes the work fast.
need (v.)
To require something.
Example:Companies do not need many camera people.
write (v.)
To produce text.
Example:Writers must write very specific notes for the AI.
specific (adj.)
Clearly defined or particular.
Example:They must write very specific notes.
note (n.)
A short record of information.
Example:Writers must write very specific notes for the AI.