FSS-DCOM seminar: Human-AI Co‑Production for Cross‑Cultural Adaptation: The Case of Chinese Short Dramas
Speaker: Prof. Xiaoping WU, Associate Professor, Department of Languages and Cultures, Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University
Date：7 May 2026 (Thu)
Time：13:00 – 14:00
Venue: E21B-G002
Abstract: In recent years, Chinese short dramas have gained rapid international popularity, with platforms such as ReelShort becoming highly downloaded entertainment apps in the United States. This study examines how AI and human creators collaborate to culturally adapt Chinese short dramas for American audiences. Drawing on Jasanoff’s (2015) concept of co-production, it treats AI not simply as a technical tool but as an active participant in cultural adaptation. Based on interviews with a project manager, an editor, and a script writer from Chinese Online, the company behind ReelShort and FlareFlow, the study shows that AI performs distinct roles across production stages. It identifies stories with high traffic and overseas potential, assists with translation and script adaptation, and supports cultural mediation within human-defined creative frameworks. In advertising and distribution, AI also generates promotional clips, voiceovers, and visual materials. The study highlights how human–AI co-production reshapes creative and cultural practices in the digital cultural industry.
