7 September 2026 News

Marketing : AI virtual humans are rapidly evolving from film and television characters into priced commercial endorsement assets. The female lead “Fang Taozi” from the mainland’s viral short drama “The Girl Who Was Laid Off” commanded advertising rates of 1.68 million to 2.58 million yuan at one point, while male lead “Duan Yan” has begun cooperating with e-commerce platforms to accept orders. However, when he endorsed Jianguo Li (坚果力) contact lens products, he claimed “wearing them all day is very comfortable,” sparking controversy. Since virtual characters lack actual wearing experience, the advertisement was subsequently removed and market regulators launched an investigation. Liu Minghui, a lawyer at Shanghai Joint Law Firm, points out that if digital avatars disseminate information externally causing damage to others’ rights, the corresponding liability may be borne by the entity behind them. Meanwhile, real-life celebrities including Vicki Zhao, Tony Wu, and Cecilia Cheung have successively authorized their personal images to create digital avatars. MoFa (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd. founder Chai Jinxiang believes virtual characters launching through content, accumulating IP value, and then achieving commercial monetization is a normal phenomenon. Shao Liang, CEO of Shanghai Chongdie Digital Art Studio, states that some celebrities earning additional income through image licensing is also an option. Deng Jianguo, a professor at Fudan University’s School of Journalism, points out that celebrities creating their own digital avatars serve dual functions of self-protection and expanding income channels. Taiwan Dageda (台湾大哥大) brought its self-developed AI application MyMoji to Taipei Dome during an employee family day, allowing employees and their families to freely generate digital avatars, change uniforms and school uniforms, create exclusive dynamic stickers and AI face-swap videos to transform into baseball players or cheerleaders. Chairman Cai Mingzhong and General Manager Lin Zhichen also respectively embodied virtual characters in the event to participate in support activities.

Entertainment : China’s domestic AI short drama and comic drama industry experienced explosive growth in 2026 before rapidly shifting toward overcapacity. According to CCTV Finance, the quoted price for AI short drama production dropped from 5,000 yuan per minute to several hundred yuan within half a year, while digital human production costs fell from 300,000 to 600,000 yuan to tens of thousands or even thousands of yuan, with the industry as a whole oscillating violently between “capacity shortage” and “overcapacity.” Yuewen Jituan (阅文集团) AI technology director Chen Wei points out that “hit” short dramas with playback exceeding 40 million times capable of profitability account for less than 1% of the market, with over 221,900 new AI short dramas launched across the internet in the first half of 2026, with only 1,055 achieving over 100 million views. Facing homogenization challenges, Pufan of Shanghai Rufan Cultural Media attempted to create unique digital assets using authorized images from real-life friends to replace the ubiquitous “Douyin face,” while Xingqizhisheng (星奇智盛) founder Zheng Yuqi enhanced virtual characters’ “human feel” by retaining facial blemishes. The Douyin account “Peach” grew its follower base by two to three million monthly using its own image as an AI digital asset, becoming a success case referenced in the industry. Actress Qi Wei directly responded to the “selling faces” controversy sparked by authorizing her AI image, stating it is not an open granting of portrait rights but rather “limited authorization without buyout,” with portrait rights remaining permanently under her ownership and commercial projects requiring official approval. Her AI alter ego “Han Qingxia” will star in the AI comic drama “End of Summer Apocalypse,” adapted from “Post-Apocalyptic Rebirth: The Big Shot Starts with a Million Hoarded Supplies.” She is deeply involved in the drama’s research and development, revealing that the real Qi Wei and the digital image will become “two independent yet coordinated creative lines,” and she is even considering transforming into an AI producer. China’s first AIGC long-form series “Journey After West” “Flower Fruit Mountain Chapter” landed on Hunanweishi (湖南卫视)’s prime time slot, featuring no real actors and no on-location shooting, with AI-generated characters and scenes adapted from classical magic and demon novels. Its premiere achieved first place viewership among provincial satellite TV channels in its time slot and became the first long-form drama to land on National Radio and Television Administration’s “concurrent review and broadcast” pilot policy, driving the creative team to dynamically adjust subsequent plots based on real-time audience feedback. Fujiansheng Guangbo Yingshi Jituan (福建省广播影视集团) co-produced with multiple units the Fujian-Ningxia cooperation-themed AI micro short drama “Ballad of the Desert Fisherman,” with all 42-episode characters AI-generated without using professional actors, employing China’s advanced AI video production large model and real-person digital twin technology. Fujiansheng Guangbo Yingshi Jituan (福建省广播影视集团) Multiple hosts’ AI digital twins participated in the production, with the series already approved and launched on platforms including Haibo TV, Douyin, iQIYI, Red Fruit Short Drama, and Fire Dragon Comic Drama. Neimengguzizhiqu Minwei Difang Yuyanwenzi Yanjiu Yingyong Zhongxin (内蒙古自治区民委地方语言文字研究应用中心) and four other units spent nearly three years developing the “Janggar” resource library platform, launching Janggar story robots and supporting software and hardware systems as well as Janggar digital human systems, the latter realizing digital interpretation and immersive interaction of the Janggar image through high-precision 3D modeling and intelligent voice-driven technology. Neimenggudaxue (内蒙古大学) Computer Science College Professor Feilong introduced that the project launched in 2022, with future plans to develop next-generation cultural and creative products such as games and animation scripts based on this foundation.

Marketing Legal : The “facial authorization” new business sparked by AI short dramas continues to ferment. According to CCTV Finance reports, on a facial digital trading platform in Sichuan, ordinary people’s portrait authorization is charged at approximately 100 yuan per short video for use, while professional actors are priced from 500 yuan to several thousand yuan depending on usage scope and episode length. Purchasers can select and buy usage rights by age, gender, and style. The platform and authorized individuals split revenue proportionally, and the platform has facilitated over one hundred transactions within just two months of launch. Data collection specialist Ma Yijing explained that lighting and makeup adjustments would be made but without substantial modifications to one’s own facial features to ensure recognition. Sichuan Yun Falv Shi Shiwusuo (四川允法律师事务所) Senior attorney Meng Xiangyu pointed out that portrait rights as personality rights cannot be completely purchased outright, and can only be licensed for use within agreed time periods and scenarios, with vigilance needed against format clauses such as “permanent authorization, non-revocable.” Guangdong Fazhi Shengbang Lvshi Shiwusuo (广东法制盛邦律师事务所) Attorney Chen Zekun emphasized that algorithmically generated virtual images lack civil subject qualification, but the legal responsibilities of operating teams and relevant entities cannot be exempted as a result. Qingnianbao (青年报) Reporters’ investigation found that National Radio and Television Administration has deployed special governance of micro-drama infringement and piracy, Red Fruit Short Drama has cumulatively reviewed 15,000 works and disposed of 670 violations, Douyin has removed infringing short dramas and comic dramas totaling 6,087 pieces, Kuaishou completed screening of over 8,000 AI comic dramas and established an AI material authorization verification mechanism. Puyifan from Shanghai Rufan Cultural Media revealed that the company’s standardized short dramas cost approximately 300 to 500 yuan per minute, rising to 800 to 2,000 yuan after refinement.

Enterprise : Gushengtang disclosed in its first-half 2026 financial report the co-development of a Traditional Chinese Medicine AI large model with top research teams from Qinghuadaxue (清华大学), Beijingzhongyiyaodaxue (北京中医药大学), and Zhongguo Zhongyi Kexueyuan (中国中医科学院), joining forces with 19 experts to create the “National Medicine AI Avatar,” covering 10 major specialties, with an AI prescription payment rate near 90%. The technology has been deployed in mainland China and Singapore, where the AI-assisted diagnosis usage rate among Singapore doctors is approximately 35%, serving as important technological support for the company’s overseas expansion and its 2030 target of ten-billion-yuan revenue. Changcheng Zhengquan (长城证券) and other institutions believe that the continued advancement of “National Medicine AI Avatar + In-house Preparation” will provide momentum for the company’s future development. Shenzhenshi (深圳市) issued the “Action Plan for Promoting Artificial Intelligence and Application Development (2026-2028),” proposing the development of new modes such as intelligent NPCs, dynamic storylines, and AI manhua in the cultural and tourism sector, while supporting new-generation intelligent terminals like AI phones and AI glasses to explore new business models including digital avatars and AI emotional companionship. Hengshi Keji (恒实科技) The 2026 first-half report shows its R&D directions include H-VBI voice control and digital human integration, lightweight deployment, and self-developed digital human and multiple other AI innovative products, which have been deployed and verified in scenarios such as large-screen interaction and knowledge management. Hengfeng Xinxi (恒锋信息) The 2026 first-half report shows the company’s revenue declined significantly and losses expanded; analysis points out that with negative cash flow and high debt levels, relying solely on concepts such as AI and virtual digital humans is difficult to support valuation.

Cultural : The 2026 China Cultural Tourism Industry Expo was held in Tianjin, establishing a new business format exhibition area for cultural tourism. Beijing Lanse Guangbiao Weilai Keji (北京蓝色光标未来科技有限公司) Executive Vice President Yang Weixin stated that Chinese classical poetry and historical stories can be converted into digital assets for more vivid presentation. Zhonglv Shuzhi Keji (中旅数智科技有限公司) The displayed Yunscape Cultural Heritage mini-program supports intelligent navigation in 11 languages and AI digital human commentary, and has been launched in hundreds of cultural heritage venues and scenic areas nationwide. The Leqi intelligent glasses displayed at the Zhejiang booth provide AI navigation, translation, and photography functions. Mudanjiang Lvyou Fuwuzhongxin (牡丹江旅游服务中心) The AI virtual digital human “Dandan” in the main hall is integrated with DeepSeek large model, capable of answering tourists’ questions about Jingpo Lake and Snow Town travel and switching virtual avatars to provide answers. Guangxibeihai Wei Zhou Dao (广西北海涠洲岛) released the “N O Wa (嗯噢哇)” new cultural tourism intelligent agent, integrating full-chain data of “boats, tickets, and islands,” where influencers can convert personal experience into interactive digital tour guide avatars, with the platform operated by Beihai Xinyi Youchuan (北海新绎游船有限公司), where Chairman Guo Shuqing and Vice General Manager Du Bin participated in the launch. Chongqing Zhineng Gongcheng Zhiye Xueyuan (重庆智能工程职业学院) The new student reporting site featured a sci-tech experience zone with real-time 3D digital avatar generation through facial capture. Beijing Qingnian Zhengzhi Xueyuan (北京青年政治学院) The “Infant and Young Child Injury Prevention and Management” course innovated the “Three Intelligences Integration” classroom paradigm, integrating AI digital human teaching assistants and IoT intelligent simulation robots, taught by instructor Liu Zhixin.

Ethical Contexts : Controversy sparked by Fang Taozi’s endorsement of colored contact lens advertisements continues to escalate. An analytical article points out that virtual artists under the Mingming Shi AI Ya (明明是AI呀) account engaged in covert endorsement of prescription drug Aishi Dakou Rongmo (艾时达口溶膜) in late-night vlogs, involving OKMAN brand, with the video employing soft product placement through couple interaction formats to circumvent《Advertising Law》restrictions on prescription drug advertising channels. The article cites analysis from Tian Feng, director of Fast Thinking Slow Research Institute, arguing that AI virtual humans’ capability expansion in language generation and vocal performance far exceeds the update speed of the advertising liability attribution system. The article reveals that virtual artists “Jin Daoyu K-Dowoo,” “Mengke.Cora,” “BaiBian NORA,” and “Jinyun JINYUN” have formed mature commercial pricing systems, with rate cards provided by Qianhang Wenhua (千珩文化) showing single placement pricing ranging from 500,000 to 900,000 yuan. Personnel from Xiaoyu Hudong (小雨互动) MCN institutions disclosed that platform new regulations prohibit AI realistic humans from displaying upper-body effects or using first-person statements to describe usage experiences to promote “three products and one device,” with some practitioners choosing to “go underground” to evade review. Liu Yexi’s operating company Chuangyi Technology CEO Liang Zikang stated that the controllability of virtual IPs provides security for brand investment, but once false rhetoric appears in virtual human livestream commerce, responsibility division among brands, operational agencies, virtual IP parties, and platforms remains unclear.