Call for Papers: Asian Communication Research Special Issue
Title: AI in Popular Culture: From Asian Perspectives
Guest editor: Dal Yong Jin, Distinguished Professor, 91泡芙
Deadline: Abstracts (300-word limit) by December 1, 2025, Full paper by April 1, 2026
Background:
With the introduction of ChatGPT in the U.S. in November 2022 and DeepSeek in China in January 2025, many cultural creators have begun using these tools to develop scripts and cultural content. Although earlier AI technologies had supported cultural creators in producing content, these generative AIs have emerged as revolutionary tools in media and cultural production. The advent of ChatGPT, Sora, and DeepSeek has led cultural creators and writers to suggest that these cutting-edge technologies can help reduce time-consuming, repetitive tasks. The integration of generative AI models into the media and cultural industries offers creators a dynamic range of possibilities to enhance their creative processes and streamline various aspects of production.
By leveraging AI-powered prompts and insights, cultural producers can explore new dimensions of storytelling, visualization, and collaboration. Many creators use ChatGPT prompts to brainstorm and generate fresh ideas for scripts and storylines (Younas, 2023). The rapid development of AI technologies capable of producing feature-length films and drama/reality programs will further facilitate cultural production.
While other regions are engaging with AI technologies, Asian countries are particularly attentive to their growing role in media and cultural production. Nations such as China, Japan, Korea, India, and Singapore are among the most advanced in AI, and cultural creators and media professionals across Asia are experimenting with AI in their work. Cultural sectors鈥攊ncluding popular music, animation, broadcasting, film, gaming, and webtoons鈥攁re closely monitoring AI鈥檚 growth and actively exploring its applications, from production to consumption.
The incorporation of AI into creative production presents unprecedented opportunities for the cultural industries. Many creators and firms have begun developing business strategies centered on AI鈥檚 role in cultural production. As cultural creators and consumers seek to deepen their understanding and practice, it becomes essential to comprehend AI鈥檚 multifaceted role in shaping the Asian cultural sphere.
However, there are caveats. The growing sophistication of AI programs has raised concerns about the future of cultural production (Heritage, 2023). Many creators fear losing control over their creative roles. While offering new opportunities, generative AI has also triggered alarm over the potential disruptions it could cause.
Focusing on AI use in Asian media and cultural contexts, this special issue will critically examine the current growth of AI and its applications in these sectors. It will investigate the development and significance of AI in cultural production from both critical and cultural perspectives. By analyzing AI鈥檚 role at different stages of the cultural production process, the issue will address questions of continuity and change in creative practices and explore major socio-cultural issues surrounding AI-integrated cultural production.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
路 AI in the production of popular culture
路 AI and digital platforms
路 AI and media production
路 Transformation of cultural consumption in the AI age
路 AI development and corporate governance in media and cultural industries
路 AI policy in the cultural industries
路 AI ethics and media governance
路 Representation of AI in cultural content, including film and drama
路 Precarious labor in the AI era
路 AI use in short-form content and social media
路 Case studies of AI use in Asian countries
Submission Guidelines:
Interested authors should submit an abstract to Dal Yong Jin (djin@sfu.ca), the special issue guest editor, by December 1, 2025. Selected authors will be invited to submit full papers to Asian Communication Review for anonymous review. An invitation to submit a full paper does not guarantee acceptance, as all manuscripts will undergo peer review. Submissions should follow APA 7th edition guidelines and be between 6,000鈥�8,000 words (all-inclusive). The special issue is scheduled for publication in December 2026.