1 September 2026 News

Cultural Heritage : Digital protection of intangible cultural heritage in Huangmei, Hubei, such as挑花 embroidery, is now introducing virtual inheritors and artificial intelligence Q&A systems, preserving the practical experience and oral memories of heritage practitioners through high-definition imagery, digital archives, and other technological means. Hubei Keji Zhiye Xueyuan (湖北科技职业学院) Zhang Jing, a teacher at the Art and Creativity College, presented a lecture in Malaysia Laman Daxue (拉曼大学) themed “Digital Intelligence Empowering New Life for Intangible Heritage,” showcasing cases including animated dissemination of Taiyi Five Elements Boxing, Wuhan Jianzhi AI Shuzi Ren (武汉剪纸AI数字人) inheritance, and the integration of virtual and physical display of indigo dyeing techniques. Drawing on the school’s decade-long accumulation of intangible heritage digitalization practice, she introduced to ASEAN universities’ faculty and students the digital pathway of China’s intangible heritage protection. Neimenggu Wenbohui (内蒙古文博会) Local enterprises demonstrated technological means such as holographic imaging, VR, MR interaction, and digital human narration of historical scenes, connecting cultural landmarks and presenting the process of inter-ethnic exchange, communication, and integration. Audiences can use MR technology for immersive viewing of the cultural relics and performing arts project “Wind Song Grassland” and interact with artifacts through gesture and voice. Xinancaijingdaxue (西南财经大学) launched “mentor digital humans,” which simulate the thinking mode of mentors through their professional training, providing students with around-the-clock online knowledge answers and emotional communication mediation to alleviate students’ anxiety about “being afraid to communicate with teachers,” while preserving the necessity of authentic emotional connection between mentors and students. Beijing Xichengqu (北京西城区) The “Check-in and Stroll Drum West Incline Street” cultural consumption activity was upgraded to the “Yunguxi (云鼓西)” mini-program, launching the cartoon virtual image “Gu Xi Xi” as the street district’s culture recommendation ambassador, providing voice navigation and merchant discount information to citizens and tourists, guiding people to explore the historical context and hutong stories of Drum Tower West Avenue. Chengdu Kemeng OPC Shequ (成都科梦OPC社区) gave birth to the AI virtual idol Yuri (Hanqing Studio), which is the country’s first certified virtual idol identity, developed under the direction of team founder Zhao Hanqing, and is currently exploring application scenarios in intelligent cabins and virtual assistants.

Retail and Marketing : Yi Lianzhong (易联众) Group’s Zhiding ( Xiamen ) Keji (智鼎(厦门)科技有限公司) has developed an intelligent medical insurance assistant “Quanxiaobao (泉小保)” that integrates large language models, RAG retrieval-augmented generation, AI agents, and digital human technology, innovatively launching a “digital human + dialect broadcast” service model to build a four-in-one medical insurance service system of “answer, query, process, and assist.” The project was jointly developed by Quanzhoushi Yiliao Baozhangju (泉州市医疗保障局) and won second prize in the “Data Elements ×” track of the Fujian division of the 2026 “Data Elements ×” competition. Caibai Gufen (菜百股份)’s first-half 2026 financial report shows that the company has sustained volume growth through new online channels including WeChat Mini Store and digital human livestreaming, driving revenue growth of 25%, 141%, and 45% respectively in the East China, South China, and Central China new markets. Institutions believe the company’s transformation toward “refined, lightweight, and distinctive” operations is showing results. Jinjiang Jiudian (锦江酒店) (China Region)’s Tuling (途羚) apartments have launched a new digital IP image “Ling Xiaotu,” using a highly approachable digital human form to narrow the distance between the brand and younger audiences, with the image making its official debut in the company’s long-term rental brand activities. Guomai Culture (formerly Guomai Culture) has developed virtual digital human images “Eileen Irene” and “Xiaoling,” creating a series of enterprise digital spokespersons modeled after the company’s general manager and employee representatives, used for promoting company brand culture and 5G business updates. Tianyou Dejiu (天佑德酒)’s previously created digital virtual character “Li Linger” is a representative project of Qingke digital humans, which combines Qinghai’s regional characteristics with qingke liquor historical culture, presenting a fusion of traditional industry and modern technology. Baiqueling (百雀羚) recently drew public criticism for an AI-generated marketing advertisement that offensively associated female skin conditions with “excessive indulgence” and created appearance anxiety; the controversial video was taken down after the dispute escalated, and this incident, together with Supoer (苏泊尔) and babysheep’s previous AI advertisement controversy over sleep pants, has exposed brands’ lack of review mechanisms when embracing AI marketing tools.

Enterprise and Industry Applications : Yuanyue Keji (元岳科技) launched an AI digital human all-in-one machine that combines localized knowledge bases with large model fine-tuning technology, supporting enterprises to independently upload documents such as PDFs and Word files to form proprietary knowledge databases. It adopts a “three-layer response mechanism” of “Q&A library first + knowledge base fallback + large model empowerment,” and supports private deployment to meet data compliance requirements in government affairs, state-owned enterprises, and financial sectors. This solution has been applied in scenarios including policy consultation in government service halls, brand explanation in corporate showrooms, AI training companions for enterprise training, and virtual tour guide roles in cultural and tourism exhibition halls. Zhongguoliantong Shanxisheng Fengongsi (中国联通陕西省分公司) displayed interactive experience sessions featuring naked-eye 3D and AI digital humans at the 2026 State-Owned Enterprise Open Day event, and showcased engaging content including anti-addiction management tools and hands-on activities related to low-altitude economy in thematic educational activities focused on online protection for minors. Nongfu Puzi Fazhan Jituan (农夫铺子发展集团)’s subsidiary Nongfu Puzi Yun Jisuan (农夫铺子云计算有限公司) has signed industry-academia-research technology cooperation agreements with multiple domestic universities including Haerbingongyedaxue ( Weihai ) (哈尔滨工业大学(威海)), Haerbinligongdaxue (哈尔滨理工大学), and Lanzhoudaxue (兰州大学). Joint research directions include AIGC intelligent content generation architecture for live-streaming digital humans and intelligent marketing systems targeting small and micro-sized merchants. Zhongguo Nengjian (中国能建) disclosed in its 2026 interim results that the company’s released “Rong Guangda Moxing (融光大模型)” builds a unified AI technology foundation for the group, with 13 group-level application scenarios already deployed including “construction digital humans.” In Shanxi Zhengquan (山西证券)’s “Smart Hui AI” wealth ecosystem project, the company created a digital human podcast interview short video column titled “Hui Tong 100 Investment Advisor Face-to-Face,” completing multi-character avatar modeling for hosts and multiple guests and specialized voice modeling, establishing a professional digital podcast broadcasting scene and exploring new models for intelligent content monetization. Shentong Kuaidi (申通快递) released the industry’s first intelligent agent platform SClaw, deeply embedding three major scenarios—AI smart customer service, small item courier digital twins, and AI route planning—into daily operations, advancing the AI-native process in the express delivery industry.