Hengdian Bets on AI, Not on Replacing Actors
On 4 November 2026, Hengdian dismissed as false a viral claim that it would train AI on data from 150,000 background actors, and instead confirmed a partnership with Volcano Engine to launch the Hengdian Pi platform for film and television digital assets. The studio is also lowering fees to support live-action productions, hedging between practical shooting and AI-hybrid workflows as the boom in AI-generated short dramas squeezes traditional crews.