iQIYI shifts to decentralized AI content model

Engineering a decentralized creative workflow

iQIYI has initiated a systemic transition in how digital entertainment is architected and distributed. During its flagship annual summit, the iQIYI World Conference in Beijing, the company detailed its shift from traditional, centralized production toward a decentralized, social-media-like content model. This structural change is supported by the commercial launch of Nadou Pro, a full-stack AI production platform designed to consolidate nearly 70 generative AI agents into a single, cohesive technical environment for creators.

From a technical perspective, the decentralized model functions by empowering smaller creative units with industrial-scale capabilities. By integrating advanced AI agents alongside iQIYI's proprietary IP library, talent network, and shared digital asset library-including scenes, props, and virtual characters-the platform allows independent creators and smaller teams to execute complex production workflows that previously required large-scale studio infrastructure. This shift is not merely about automation but about the redistribution of technical capabilities across the production ecosystem, aiming to fulfill a framework described by company leadership as the "one-one-two" law: cutting unit costs, expanding the creator base, and increasing overall output.

Technical specifications of the Nadou Pro platform

The Nadou Pro platform operates as a full-stack solution, managing data flows from the initial conceptual phase through to final rendering. The system integrates nearly 70 specialized AI agents covering scriptwriting, directing, visual design, editing, and more. By combining leading foundation models with iQIYI's proprietary resources and algorithms that embed professional cinematic production methods, Nadou Pro provides contextually accurate support across the entire workflow.

A standout capability of the system is the implementation of "blockbuster prompts," which translate abstract creative concepts directly into production-ready cinematic direction. This allows creators to use natural language to access extensive resources for character design, shot composition, and narrative development, bridging the gap between short-form AI generation and professional long-form drama requirements.

Advancing visual consistency and third-party model integration

In the visual domain, the platform addresses key challenges such as consistent character designs and scene environments across multiple frames. This is achieved through integrated AI capabilities that ensure visual assets maintain their integrity throughout a project's timeline.

Rather than relying on a single engine, Nadou Pro streamlines production by integrating iQIYI's proprietary QiZhi multimodal large models alongside prominent third-party AI models, including SeeDance, Kling, Vidu, Hailuo, and WAN. This interoperability supports seamless text, image, video, and audio generation without requiring AIGC creators to switch between disparate platforms. Such integration is essential for maintaining the high throughput needed for film-grade outputs.

Fostering the single creator and team collaboration models

To maximize the utility of its integrated agents, Nadou Pro facilitates two primary collaboration structures: an "one person company" mode, where a single creator leverages multiple AI agents to manage an entire production pipeline, and a team-based mode designed for human-AI collaboration within traditional studio workflows.

The practical application of these models is already visible. In a joint initiative dubbed the Peter Pau × iQIYI AI Theater, the platform collaborated with Academy Award-winning cinematographer Peter Pau to grant directors early access to the technology. This initiative successfully produced 16 AI-driven short films spanning science fiction, fantasy, and historical drama. Following its broader public availability, the platform rapidly scaled its user base, onboarding over 10,000 active creators within its first month of operation.

Global expansion and additional AI ecosystem tools

Recognizing the international demand for automated production pipelines, iQIYI has actively developed an international version of Nadou Pro. Engineered to integrate both overseas and globally deployed Chinese AI models, the global iteration will initially launch with English-language support, with Portuguese and broader multilingual versions following closely behind.

Complementing the core production software, the company has introduced supplementary tools to extend the value of its intellectual property. ChiJing AI serves as a co-creation platform empowering users to rewrite storylines and actively participate in narrative development, while Taodou World functions as a community hub where users interact with AI-driven virtual characters.

Integration and ecosystem expansion

Beyond internal tools, iQIYI is opening the Nadou Pro ecosystem to empower creators with industrial-scale capabilities and resources. The platform supports upgraded platform services and optimized revenue-sharing, allowing creators to scale production as new advancements emerge.

Revenue returns are tied to actual project performance with no upper limit. Furthermore, to incentivize high-quality long-form content, iQIYI has instituted a 20% subsidy for AI-generated mid-form series-defined as projects with at least five minutes per episode and a total runtime of no less than 60 minutes-running through the end of the year.

By implementing these decentralized systems alongside transparent zero-threshold onboarding, iQIYI aims to optimize its content supply chain. The reduction in operational barriers for individual projects allows for a higher volume of diverse content without a linear increase in costs. This engineering-led strategy positions the streaming platform as a technical facilitator and distributor, enabling broader participation in high-quality professional filmmaking.