Blending AI and tradition to bridge cultures and spark artistic innovation

As generative AI reshapes creative industries, Chinese artists are pioneering unique integration models between technological innovation and cultural heritage. CPPCC member Shu Yong's two-year experimental journey reveals how human-AI collaboration is redefining contemporary art practice while posing critical questions about cultural preservation in the digital age.

Nearly two years ago, Chinese artist and CPPCC member Shu Yong began his daily AI-generated art creation journey. "I continue to craft a new painting each day by instructing AI tools like DeepSeek," Shu shared on his WeChat Moments last week.

Amid the rapid rise of generative AI, Shu has embraced a dual approach, producing one artwork daily by incorporating traditional painting techniques with AI-driven methods. This comparative exploration has illuminated both the potential and the limits of technology in art.

He noted that AI accelerates creativity, swiftly delivering intricate and complete results while often sparking unexpected inspiration through the tension between human intent and AI interpretation. This fusion challenges the boundaries of conventional artistry, enabling bold experimentation and a seamless integration of human imagination with AI's data-driven precision.

"For nearly three months, I couldn't touch a blank sheet of paper - each time I held a pen, I felt powerless," Shu told the Global Times.

"Then I turned to AI, and at first, it was exhilarating - full of joy and creative energy, yielding a flood of work. But by the third month, I sensed my inspiration waning; the novelty dulled, and ideas felt less inventive."

It was then that he returned to traditional painting, where the tactile act of creation reignited a wellspring of ideas. "The interplay between AI-generated art and traditional methods offers a profound avenue for cultural reflection and intellectual discovery," Shu said.

He advocates drawing from China's rich traditional heritage and weaving it into AI creations, achieving a dynamic synthesis that yields works of depth and magnificence.

Now, Shu seeks a balanced synergy between AI and traditional art, exploring diverse expressions to enrich the evolution of artistic practice. One of his proposals as a member of the CPPCC National Committee calls for leveraging AI tools to revitalize and amplify traditional culture.

Shu gained global recognition for his installation work Golden Bridge on the Silk Road, inspired by the ancient Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province. Symbolizing a shared global future and showcased at events like the 2017 Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, this work has become an emblem of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In recent years, Chinese cultural icons such as video game Black Myth: Wukong and the hit film Ne Zha 2 have captivated global audiences, reflecting the growing resonance of Chinese storytelling. Since becoming a CPPCC member in 2023, Shu has aspired to craft national cultural symbols that narrate China's contemporary story.

"From Wukong to Ne Zha and Golden Bridge on the Silk Road, these works emerge from a global context," he said. "By harnessing creative thinking and universally accessible communication, they uncover shared cultural threads, fostering mutual understanding and serving as bridges to connect the world."