Director xu zheng stunned by his own AI face-swap footage, questioning real actors' current skill levels

During the Fourth International Forum on Performing Arts Education, director Xu Zheng shared his reaction to encountering an AI-generated video featuring his likeness. He expressed profound surprise at the convincing movement and acting displayed by the AI rendition of himself. This incident prompted a significant discussion at the forum regarding the future viability of human actors. Xu Zheng further noted that the quality of these AI face-swap clips was already quite advanced, leading him to judge that many emerging professional actors currently perform at a level inferior to the AI output. This observation shifted the debate from mere panic to the tangible technical capabilities of AI, especially as some industry professionals are already exploring AI replacements to reduce production costs. In response to this technological impact, the Shanghai Theatre Academy introduced an industry directive. This initiative mandates that the sector rebuild its educational framework for theater, film, and television, emphasizing the cultivation of genuine acting skills. The core principle established is to treat human performance as the essential foundation, with AI serving only as a supplementary tool, arguing that unique life experience and emotional empathy remain irreplaceable human assets.