A promotional video for the Qingdao-Taiwan youth AI creative competition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An AI creative competition held from August to October in Qingdao, Shandong province, drew more than 1,600 entries from young people on the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, showcasing digital technology's potential to promote cultural exchange.

The competition recognized 76 winning works, with an awards ceremony taking place at the third Cross-Strait (Qingdao) Youth Exchange and Development Conference on Oct 17.

Participants used AI tools to explore shared cultural heritage, traditional arts, coastal landscapes, and contemporary life through digital images and videos.

Among the first-prize winners in the video category was Moonrise Over the Sea, an AI-generated music video in the Minnan dialect created by a participant from Taichung, Taiwan.

Another first-prize winner, Take Me Home, was inspired by Gao Binghan, a Taiwan veteran originally from Shandong who helped return the ashes of deceased veterans to their hometowns on the mainland.

Other entries explored traditional courtyard architecture, shadow puppetry, and shared cultural traditions, offering fresh perspectives on cultural connections across the Strait.

Jointly organized by three Qingdao-based associations representing Taiwan-funded enterprises, young people, and the AI industry, the competition gave creators a platform to exchange ideas and explore AI-powered storytelling.