Where AI Meets Humanity: A Scholar Democratizing Storytelling

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, its potential to ignite human creativity is quietly revolutionizing storytelling—even in filmmaking. Leading this charge is Professor RAO Anyi, an assistant professor in the newly established Division of Arts and Machine Creativity at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). 

Prof. Rao, named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, is pioneering AI’s role in democratizing storytelling. He develops AI tools that empower filmmakers to generate content and control complex elements or special effects like scene lighting. With a mission to merge the realms of filmmaking, art, and AI, he aims to nurture a tech-savvy generation of storytellers. 

“AI is for the human, with the human, and by the human,” he succinctly summarized his approach to human-centered AI. “We want to hear the stories of humans, not machines. The essence is to let AI grasp human intentions to facilitate the creative process.” Prof. Rao’s philosophy is the fruit of his decade-long career journey and experience at Meta, SenseTime, and Stanford University. His insights have garnered acclaim in academia, earning him the esteemed Marr Prize at the 2023 International Conference on Computer Vision, and a Rising Star Award at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2024.

Cinematic Storytelling Roots Global Impact

Prof. Rao’s passion for storytelling took root in his childhood, inspired by iconic films starring Jackie Chan and Stephen Chow. These cinematic experiences ignited Prof. Rao’s enthusiasm for narrative expression. “Storytelling is the best way that people get connected with each other,” he reflected.

Fueled by the zeal for storytelling and film, Prof. Rao progressed to another milestone this April—he curated Greater China’s first 100% AI-focused film festival. Hosted by HKUST, the pioneering film festival showcased a star-studded jury panel, including five-time Oscar winner Mr. Richard TAYLOR, known for his work on The Lord of the Rings; Prof. Ting CAO, Dean of Photography at Beijing Film Academy; and Mr. Tim CHEUNG, Computer Animation Festival Chair of the SIGGRAPH Asia 2025. The University’s bold initiative in AI filmmaking proved a resounding success, drawing submissions from 700 filmmakers, some of them award-winning directors and Emmy-nominated storytellers, from over 80 countries and regions.

“I never imagined my work would resonate beyond academia into the film industry,” Prof. Rao remarked with a hint of humility. “We are moving from linear creations to more interactive and dynamic stories, thanks to AI technologies,” he said, envisioning a future where narratives can adapt to audiences in real time, ultimately enhancing the human experience.

The Marriage of Art and Technology Spawns New Ideas

In his HKUST course about AI for visual content creation, Prof. Rao bridges arts and science disciplines. Two of his students formed a team for a film project that made it to the finals of the University’s AI film festival. “In this student team, the arts student reimagined a story she had spent months shooting, using the AI tools developed by her science-minded counterpart. Together, they produced an extraordinary new version of their work,” Prof. Rao beamed with pride.

While there is often concern that AI may replace humans, Prof. Rao believes that its role is to complement human creativity by handling mundane tasks, allowing creators to focus on what they enjoy most. “The goal is to let computers handle the drudgery, so humans can engage in the parts they enjoy,” he explained. This perspective underpins his projects like ControlNet, which enable creators to communicate their vision through sketches, references, or text. “Even for humans, expressing intention can be difficult,” he added. “That’s why we aim to provide multiple ways of communication.”

Looking ahead, Prof. Rao envisions a world where AI empowers everyone—from filmmakers to even the elderly—to explore creative possibilities. “We can develop different tools for target groups with varying needs; even my 80-year-old grandfather can create a video story himself with handy tools,” he smiled. “I hope to democratize more high-end productions in the future.”

Having joined HKUST about a year ago, Prof. Rao is confident in achieving his goals, bolstered by HKUST’s world-class AI resources and collaborative culture. “Despite the abundant resources, people remain the most crucial element. Senior management and colleagues share one vision—using technology to positively impact the world,” he concluded with optimism.