Lin Meiying showcases videos she created using AI.

Pingtan, a scenic island county in Fujian province facing the Taiwan Straits, is known for its unique coastal scenery and rich intangible cultural heritage. Ahead of the Fujian Football City League (FJCL) football tournament kicking off on April 19, 2026, a 76-year-old inheritor of Pingtan's intangible cultural heritage paper-cut art has blended traditional craftsmanship with AI technology to create a special tribute for the Pingtan team.

Lin Meiying at work on her paper-cut creations

Lin Meiying, a veteran paper-cut artist, teamed up with AI assistant Doubao to design nine football-themed paper-cut works. The pieces feature lively images including football-playing teenagers, kylins stepping on footballs, and dolphins balancing balls, combining classic paper-cut charm with modern dynamism. Drawing inspiration from Pingtan's nickname "Kylin Island", Lin incorporated kylins into her designs to symbolize good fortune and team spirit.

People show support and cheer for the Pingtan team.

One of the most challenging works depicts a footballer kicking in mid-air, breaking traditional paper-cut rules with fragmented details that require separate cutting and precise pasting, taking twice as long as ordinary pieces. Lin stayed up late to finish the creations, driven by her love for her hometown and the sport.

Fujian Football City League themed paper-cut series

Beyond static paper-cuts, Lin used Doubao to turn the artworks into animated videos with cheering slogans, stunning fellow heritage inheritors. She learned to use AI from scratch, typing or speaking simple commands to generate cartoon drafts, adjusting designs until she was satisfied. "AI is convenient and innovative, and learning has nothing to do with age but passion," Lin shared. Her innovative work has made traditional intangible cultural heritage cool and trendy, showcasing the vitality of folk art in the digital age.