By Uyghur Times Staff | January 25, 2025
China’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and control Uyghurs is well-documented. Now, the Chinese government is channeling the same technology to automate the translation of films and television content into Uyghur and Kazakh languages. This move is framed as an innovation in cultural development but carries significant implications for propaganda dissemination.
According to a report from the People’s Daily, on January 17, the Chinese Film Corporation, in collaboration with the Tengritagh Film Studio, inaugurated a new AI translation lab focused on minority languages. The project aims to employ AI technologies for voice recognition, text translation, voice cloning, and automated editing to streamline the translation of films and TV programs.
The official goal, as stated by the People’s Daily, is to “enhance the quality and quantity of translated audiovisual works while reducing costs through human-machine collaboration.” By reproducing film scripts in minority languages with high fidelity, the Chinese authorities aim to “foster creative progress in the translation of minority-language films.”
Political Implications of AI Translations
While promoted as a cultural initiative, this development raises concerns about China’s broader objectives in Uyghur homeland. AI-driven translations could amplify state propaganda targeted at Uyghurs and other minorities, reinforcing the narrative of a “happy Xinjiang” while sidelining authentic voices from the region.
The Tengritagh Film Studio, established in 1959, has long served as a tool for Beijing’s propaganda machine. Over the decades, it has translated over 20,000 films and television programs, many of which promote themes aligned with Chinese government policies. Despite receiving accolades for its work, the studio’s underlying mission has remained rooted in broadcasting state-controlled narratives about Uyghur life.
Critics argue that the expansion of AI translation technology in East Turkistan is not a neutral innovation but a calculated move to tighten Beijing’s control over the region’s cultural and informational space. By automating the dissemination of state-approved content, China further marginalizes authentic Uyghur voices while bolstering its campaign to rewrite Uyghur identity.