GLOBAL - A new frontier in entertainment is rapidly expanding in China, where artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool but the creator. Ultra-short video series, known as “microdramas,” are being produced entirely by AI, from scriptwriting to generating lifelike characters, and are attracting massive audiences, with some titles like "Strange Mirror of Mountains and Seas" reportedly gaining over 50 million views. This technological shift, while celebrated for its efficiency, is igniting a global debate on the future of creative jobs and intellectual property, a conversation that is gaining traction within Kenya’s own burgeoning creative and tech sectors.

The Chinese microdrama market has seen explosive growth, with revenues hitting approximately 50.5 billion yuan (Ksh 895 billion) in 2024, a figure that has surpassed the nation's domestic film box office. These series, with episodes as short as 30 seconds, are designed for mobile consumption, catering to viewers on commutes. Proponents like Chen Kun, the creator of "Strange Mirror," argue that AI can slash production costs to as little as a quarter of traditional methods and dramatically shorten timelines, enabling a series to be completed in months. This efficiency is achieved by using a suite of AI tools: models like ChatGPT for screenplays, and image generators like Midjourney, which are then converted into video.

The rise of AI-generated content (AIGC) is a double-edged sword. While it democratizes content creation, it also stokes fears of significant job displacement among actors, screenwriters, and concept artists. In a June 2024 survey by Canva, 69% of global creative leaders expressed concern over potential job losses due to AI. This anxiety is mirrored in Kenya, where the creative economy accounts for 5.3% of the nation's GDP. A 2024 survey by Creatives Garage, a Nairobi-based arts organization, found that while 75.2% of local creatives actively use AI to improve efficiency, they also view job displacement and copyright infringement as the biggest threats.

The Kenyan Context: Adoption and Apprehension

In Kenya, the adoption of AI in the creative space is already well underway. Local content creators are using AI for brainstorming, editing, and marketing, leveraging tools to work faster and smarter. Initiatives like the Africa AI Creators Academy, launched in Kenya in June 2025, aim to equip local artists with skills in creative AI, signaling a move to embrace the technology. However, this adoption is coupled with significant apprehension. A key concern is that AI models, predominantly trained on Western data, may perpetuate cultural biases and fail to capture the nuances of African languages and stories. Leonard Bassegela, a Congolese producer, warned in 2024 that “if we don’t build our own tools, our stories will be told by algorithms trained somewhere else.”

The legal framework in Kenya is also racing to catch up. Currently, the Kenyan Copyright Act defines an author as a person, leaving the copyright status of purely AI-generated work in a grey area. Legal experts suggest that works with significant human input may be protectable, but the law does not yet explicitly address infringement by AI tools or the use of copyrighted material in training AI models. This legal uncertainty poses a risk for creatives whose work could be used without permission to train the very systems that might one day replace them. The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) is reportedly developing policies to clarify AI's role in content creation.

A Global Trend with Local Implications

The microdrama phenomenon is not confined to China. These platforms are expanding globally, with apps like ReelShort gaining traction in the United States and other markets. This global expansion suggests that the business models and production techniques honed in China could soon influence content creation worldwide, including in Africa. For the African film industry, which includes Nigeria's prolific Nollywood, AI presents an opportunity to overcome budget limitations and enhance production quality, potentially leveling the global playing field. However, the risk of job displacement remains a critical concern that requires proactive policy and industry-led discussions.

As AI technology continues its rapid evolution, the conversation in Kenya and across Africa is shifting from if, to how, the continent will engage with this transformative force. The challenge lies in harnessing AI's potential to amplify African stories and creativity while establishing ethical guidelines and legal frameworks that protect the livelihoods of its artists. The developments in China's microdrama industry serve as both a compelling case study and a cautionary tale for what lies ahead.