A Study on the Popular Production Mechanism of AI‑generated Xia‑ren Animated Shorts from the Perspective of Participatory Culture

Abstract

This study takes the mass creation phenomenon of AI Xiaren Short Dramas as the research object. Drawing on Participatory Culture Theory, it investigates three major questions: whether AI Technology can reduce short drama creation costs and improve production efficiency, how Ordinary Netizens participate in AI Short Drama production, and how Creators obtain revenue to sustain long-term creation. The research finds that AI Tools can boost efficiency in asset production, yet cost reduction and efficiency improvement have clear boundaries constrained by computing power investment and Creators’ narrative capabilities. AI Tools lower barriers to animation creation and enable non-professional netizens to produce works, while factors such as time, energy and narrative aesthetics still hinder individual creation. The industry currently has diversified Monetization Paths. Top Creators achieve sustainable creation through derivative commercial income, whereas emerging Creators struggle with long-term operation due to low playback revenue. This study confirms that while Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) Technological Empowerment reduces creation thresholds, it also triggers issues including the Matthew Effect in traffic distribution. This paper supplements empirical findings of Participatory Culture within AIGC audiovisual creation and offers references for examining opportunities and dilemmas of mass media production in the intelligent era.