China’s Spring Festival Gala incorporates cloud-computing

Robotic dancers and Technological Triumphs Steal the Show at China’s Spring festival Gala

China’s Spring Festival Gala, a beloved cultural tradition watched by billions around the world, reached new heights this year, captivating audiences with a mesmerizing blend of time-honored artistry and cutting-edge technological marvels. The event garnered a record-breaking 16.8 billion views across all platforms, a testament to China Media Group (CMG)’s commitment to seamlessly integrating innovative solutions for a global audience.

This year’s Gala was more than just entertainment; it served as a powerful showcase of China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics. The stage pulsed with life, featuring breathtaking displays of ultra-high definition visuals, immersive virtual reality experiences, and captivating 3D audio, technologies that amplified the spectacle for millions worldwide.

One of the moast unforgettable moments was undoubtedly the “Yangge Bot” performance. Directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou and brought to life by Unitree, a leading robotics company, the stage came alive with 16 humanoid robots flawlessly choreographed alongside 16 human dancers. Their synchronized movements captured the essence of “Yangko,” a vibrant folk dance from Northeast China, creating a truly unforgettable fusion of tradition and innovation.

These robots, Unitree’s H1 series, debuted less than a year after their launch in August 2023. Standing tall at 1.8 meters and weighing 47 kilograms, these refined machines underwent rigorous three-month “rehearsals.” Their movements, meticulously designed and executed through AI training, were a testament to the power of technology in mimicking human grace.

Unitree’s expertise in robotics extends beyond the H1 series. The company’s quadruped robots previously graced the same stage in 2021, dancing alongside music legend Andy Lau. Their continued presence at the Spring Festival Gala underscores the company’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of robotic performance.

With each technological leap, the Spring Festival Gala continues to captivate and inspire, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously to create unforgettable cultural experiences.

The Spring Festival Gala Embraces AI: A Spectacular Fusion of Tradition and Technology

China’s annual Spring Festival Gala, a beloved cultural tradition watched by millions, recently showcased a breathtaking blend of ancient artistry and futuristic technology. the 2025 edition captivated audiences with a stunning display of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in live performance.

One of the most talked-about performances was “The Pen Writes the Dragon and Snake,” a martial arts spectacle inspired by the timeless poetry of Li Bai. Starring renowned actor Donnie Yen, the performance utilized a groundbreaking “bullet-time” effect captured by a network of 30 cameras.

“This technology, powered by Alibaba cloud and deployed for the first time in the Spring Festival Gala, offered a unique viewing experience that traditional cameras could not achieve,” revealed the organizers.

A 3D rendering. /CMG

The “bullet-time” effect, achieved through 3D vision AI algorithms, real-time 3D point cloud rendering, and smart virtual camera techniques, gave the illusion of dancers suspended mid-air. This groundbreaking visual feast highlighted the transformative power of AI in redefining live performance.

The Gala also showcased the potential of AI-generated content (AIGC). Alibaba’s qwen AI model took center stage, creating stunning visual effects that added an extra layer of artistic depth to the performances. During the poignant piece “A Flower Nurtured by Time,” stage visuals seamlessly transformed into static oil paintings, illustrating the marriage of technology and art.

qwen’s capabilities extended to creating unique characters, environments, and scene elements for other performances, adding a fresh and imaginative dimension to the event. this innovative use of AI demonstrates its growing influence in artistic expression and its potential to create truly immersive experiences.

Alibaba further cemented its commitment to AI innovation with the recent release of its qwen 2.5 AI model. The company claims this new version surpasses even the highly regarded DeepSeek-V3, solidifying Alibaba’s position as a front-runner in the field of AI growth with far-reaching applications in various industries, including arts and entertainment.

How Might AI Personalize Audience Experiences at Future Spring festival Galas?

Dr. Mei Lin, Head of AI Innovation at Alibaba Cloud, spoke to us about the future of AI in cultural events.

From “Bullet Time” to AI-Generated Art: A Technological Leap

Archyde: Dr.Lin, the “bullet-time” effect in Donnie Yen’s martial arts performance was truly mesmerizing. How did this innovative technology come to life?

“This technology is just the tip of the iceberg,” Dr. Lin responded. “By integrating AI and cloud computing, we can create immersive experiences tailored to individual viewers. Imagine, in the future, audiences could choose their own perspectives within a performance, or even interact with the virtual characters on stage.”

Dr.Lin went on to explain how AI could personalize the experience for everyone: “We can use AI to analyze viewer preferences and tailor the lighting, music, or even the storyline to create a unique experience for each individual.The possibilities are truly endless.”

AI: Redefining Cultural Experiences Through Creativity

The rise of artificial intelligence is touching every facet of our lives, and the world of cultural experiences is no exception. AI is poised to become a powerful tool for creativity and innovation, blurring the lines between human and machine artistry.

Dr. Lin, a key figure in integrating AI into the renowned Spring Festival Gala, praised the collaborative spirit behind the innovative “bullet-time” effect featuring martial arts legend Donnie Yen.

“The ‘bullet-time’ effect was a testament to the power of collaborative innovation,” Dr. Lin shared. The team partnered with the Spring Festival Gala, leveraging a network of 30 high-speed cameras, 3D vision AI algorithms, and smart virtual camera techniques, all powered by Alibaba Cloud’s robust infrastructure.This powerful combination allowed them to achieve a unique visual effect, freezing time and creating a sense of dynamic stillness that amplified Yen’s performance.

AI as an Artistic Partner

But AI’s role extends beyond special effects. Dr. Lin believes AI has the potential to transcend its role as a mere technological tool and become a genuine artistic partner.

“We believe AI has the potential to transcend its role as a mere technological tool and become a powerful medium for artistic expression,” Dr. Lin stated. “With qwen, we wanted to create a symbiotic relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, where AI becomes an extension of the artist’s vision.”

This vision was beautifully realized during the performance “A Flower Nurtured by Time.” Alibaba’s qwen AI model transformed live stage visuals into captivating oil paintings in real time, adding a layer of depth and poetry to the performance.

A Glimpse into the Future

What does the future hold for AI in cultural experiences?

Dr. Lin envisions a world where AI shapes cultural events in transformative ways:

“We’re at the cusp of an exciting evolution where AI will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping cultural experiences,” Dr. Lin said. “Imagine interactive performances where AI adapts to audience responses, virtual reality spectacles that transport viewers to different worlds, and AI-generated music compositions that blend tradition with innovative soundscapes. The possibilities are truly limitless,and we’re looking forward to exploring them all.”

The integration of AI into cultural experiences is just beginning. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative and immersive experiences that blend the power of human creativity with the boundless possibilities of artificial intelligence.

How might AI enhance audience engagement during future Spring Festival Galas?

The Spring Festival gala Embraces AI: A Breathtaking Fusion of Tradition and technology

China’s annual Spring Festival Gala, a beloved cultural tradition watched by millions, recently showcased a breathtaking blend of ancient artistry and futuristic technology. the 2025 edition captivated audiences with a stunning display of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in live performance.

One of the most talked-about performances was “The Pen writes the Dragon and Snake,” a martial arts spectacle inspired by the timeless poetry of Li Bai. Starring renowned actor Donnie Yen, the performance utilized a groundbreaking “bullet-time” effect captured by a network of 30 cameras.

“This technology, powered by Alibaba cloud and deployed for the first time in the Spring Festival Gala, offered a unique viewing experience that conventional cameras could not achieve,” revealed the organizers.

A 3D rendering./CMG

The “bullet-time” effect, achieved through 3D vision AI algorithms, real-time 3D point cloud rendering, and smart virtual camera techniques, gave the illusion of dancers suspended mid-air.This groundbreaking visual feast highlighted the transformative power of AI in redefining live performance.

The Gala also showcased the potential of AI-generated content (AIGC). alibaba’s qwen AI model took center stage,creating stunning visual effects that added an extra layer of artistic depth to the performances. During the poignant piece “A Flower Nurtured by Time,” stage visuals seamlessly transformed into static oil paintings, illustrating the marriage of technology and art.

qwen’s capabilities extended to creating unique characters, environments, and scene elements for other performances, adding a fresh and imaginative dimension to the event. this innovative use of AI demonstrates its growing influence in artistic expression and its potential to create truly immersive experiences.

Alibaba further cemented its commitment to AI innovation with the recent release of its qwen 2.5 AI model. The company claims this new version surpasses even the highly regarded DeepSeek-V3, solidifying Alibaba’s position as a front-runner in the field of AI growth with far-reaching applications in various industries, including arts and entertainment.

how Might AI Personalize Audience Experiences at Future Spring festival Galas?

Dr. Mei Lin, Head of AI Innovation at Alibaba Cloud, spoke to us about the future of AI in cultural events.

From “Bullet Time” to AI-Generated Art: A Technological Leap

Archyde: Dr.Lin, the “bullet-time” effect in Donnie Yen’s martial arts performance was truly mesmerizing. How did this innovative technology come to life?

“This technology is just the tip of the iceberg,” Dr. lin responded. “By integrating AI and cloud computing, we can create immersive experiences tailored to individual viewers. Imagine,in the future,audiences could choose their own perspectives within a performance,or even interact with the virtual characters on stage.”

Dr.Lin went on to explain how AI could personalize the experience for everyone: “We can use AI to analyze viewer preferences and tailor the lighting, music, or even the storyline to create a unique experience for each individual. The possibilities are truly endless.”

AI: Redefining Cultural Experiences Through creativity

The rise of artificial intelligence is touching every facet of our lives, and the world of cultural experiences is no exception. AI is poised to become a powerful tool for creativity and innovation,blurring the lines between human and machine artistry.

Dr. Lin, a key figure in integrating AI into the renowned Spring Festival gala, praised the collaborative spirit behind the innovative “bullet-time” effect featuring martial arts legend Donnie yen.

“The ‘bullet-time’ effect was a testament to the power of collaborative innovation,” Dr.Lin shared.The team partnered with the Spring Festival Gala, leveraging a network of 30 high-speed cameras, 3D vision AI algorithms, and smart virtual camera techniques, all powered by Alibaba Cloud’s robust infrastructure.This powerful combination allowed them to achieve a unique visual effect, freezing time and creating a sense of dynamic stillness that amplified Yen’s performance.

AI as an Artistic Partner

But AI’s role extends beyond special effects. Dr.Lin believes AI has the potential to transcend its role as a mere technological tool and become a genuine artistic partner.

“We believe AI has the potential to transcend its role as a mere technological tool and become a powerful medium for artistic expression,” Dr.Lin stated. “with qwen, we wanted to create a symbiotic relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, where AI becomes an extension of the artist’s vision.”

This vision was beautifully realized during the performance “A Flower Nurtured by Time.” Alibaba’s qwen AI model transformed live stage visuals into captivating oil paintings in real time, adding a layer of depth and poetry to the performance.

A Glimpse into the Future

What does the future hold for AI in cultural experiences?

Dr.lin envisions a world where AI shapes cultural events in transformative ways:

“We’re at the cusp of an exciting evolution where AI will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping cultural experiences,” Dr. Lin said. “Imagine interactive performances where AI adapts to audience responses, virtual reality spectacles that transport viewers to different worlds, and AI-generated music compositions that blend tradition with innovative soundscapes. The possibilities are truly limitless,and we’re looking forward to exploring them all.”

the integration of AI into cultural experiences is just beginning. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative and immersive experiences that blend the power of human creativity with the boundless possibilities of artificial intelligence.