12 September 2026 News

Healthcare : In elderly care scenarios, Shanghaishi Diyi Shehui Fuliyuan (上海市第一社会福利院) collaborated with technology company Shuaiqian Keji (帅签科技) to develop a customized digital companion system for seniors with cognitive impairment. The digital human avatar directly replicates the appearance and voice of caregivers Teng Lili and Ding Shiiting, providing exclusive companionship services such as emotional comfort and nostalgic guidance for elderly individuals including 91-year-old Ms. Leng and 93-year-old Ms. Chen. The project won the bronze award at the Shanghai Elderly Care Technology Innovation Competition. Shuaiqian Keji (帅签科技) General Manager Sun Yuefei and Technical Director Li Jiong explained that the system is built on a foundational general-purpose large model, layered with decades of cognitive impairment care experience accumulated by the nursing facility to construct an intelligent agent, with safety boundaries set to identify risk information such as elderly wandering and report it to caregivers. In medical scenarios, at the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) health and wellness services exhibition area, a 3D digital human product “AI Gandan Chaoji Yisheng Zhineng Ti (AI肝胆超级医生智能体)” jointly developed by Guojia Rengongzhineng Yingyong Zhongshi Jidi (国家人工智能应用中试基地) and Beijing Qinghua Changgengyiyuan (北京清华长庚医院) made its debut, incorporating over thirty years of hepatobiliary disease diagnosis and treatment experience from an academician team in deep learning, enabling grassroots doctors to obtain diagnostic and treatment plans and referral recommendations approaching expert level by simply inputting patient conditions.

Entertainment : The Los Angeles Times published an in-depth report focusing on Chinese actor Chen Yilong licensing his facial image to Shenzhen Feixiang Yuzhou (深圳飞翔宇宙), where founder Sun Wei’s team captures his multi-angle facial expressions to train an AI “digital human” for starring in AI films. The report also mentions that crowd extras in Hengdian have seen a sharp decline in job opportunities due to AI impact, director Lu Beike maintains a cautious stance toward pure AI film and television’s complex lighting effects, and science fiction writer Chen Qiufan participated in producing the AI short drama “Magic Brush,” which accumulated nearly 100 million plays within two weeks of launch. According to data from Wang Jingshe (网经社) and Zhongguo Wangluo Shiting Jiemu Fuwu Xiehui (中国网络视听节目服务协会), the number of AI short dramas produced in China surged to 128,000 in the first three months of 2026, accounting for over 95% of the market, with video generation models from Kuaishou and ByteDance under Ji Meng (即梦) deeply involved in production workflows. Statistics from self-media account “Silicon-Based Arrival” show that approximately 99% of AI short drama teams across the industry are operating at a loss, with hit rates of only 0.12%, and Hongguo (红果) platform takes a revenue share of up to 80% from producers, causing massive cash flow breakdowns for individual creators. The combination of celebrity image licensing and AI short dramas has spawned a new business model: actress Qi Wei pioneered licensing her AI digital avatar “Han Qingxia” for AI animated dramas, virtual livestreaming and other commercial scenarios, while younger or historical versions of celebrities such as Anita Mui, Eugene Wu, You Benzhang, and Jackie Chan have been successively licensed to AI film and television companies. The virtual character “Fang Taozi,” made popular by the AI short drama “The Girl Who Got Laid Off,” attracted over 400,000 followers within 30 days of debut, with a single 60-second advertisement reaching a rate of 2.58 million yuan at one point. Hongguo (红果) short drama platforms have continuously carried out governance of AI dramas, removing and taking down 12,347 and 8,689 non-compliant AI dramas in July and August 2026 respectively.

Virtual Idols & Performances : The commercialization and staging of AI virtual idols are advancing in parallel: digital human Yuri Hanqing Studio is scheduled to complete its offline debut performance on a hundred-meter giant screen on the Shanghai Bund, featuring performances alongside a folk music ensemble, traditional Chinese orchestra, children’s choir, and robots. The organizers claim it to be the first domestic AI virtual idol to obtain official digital identity certification. Actress Qi Wei appeared at Weinisi Dianyingjie (威尼斯电影节) as a producer with her new work “Summer of Apocalypse,” personally participating in adjusting the expression details of the AI-generated personal digital avatar and completing voice dubbing, attempting to have her digital counterpart star in a zombie-themed animated series, continuing her previous exploration of leveraging AI technology to create visual effects for music videos.

Marketing : Digital humans are upgrading from one-way broadcasting tools to intelligent interactive subjects: During the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Baidu Yijing (百度一镜) partnered with Kekoukele (可口可乐) to launch the real-time interactive digital human “AI Fan Zhiyi,” supporting users to chat about sports 24 hours a day within the brand’s mini-program; iFLYTEK released ultra-humanoid digital human real-time generation technology that requires only a single photograph to generate digital humans capable of completing complex actions such as object retrieval and dancing; Huya launched its self-developed real-time multimodal digital human foundation model VAM 1.0, adopting DiT architecture to achieve frame-level online generation of video; Shujing Keji (数镜科技) compressed digital human clothing changes from the traditional six months and 20 minutes per image to 4 seconds, with customized services delivered within two days. By 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Baidu Yijing (百度一镜)’s omnichannel multi-agent digital human platform has covered more than 30 industries, served more than 100,000 users, and helped over 80 enterprises go global; skincare brand Qingyan (倾颜)’s digital human toothpaste-focused livestream room saw conversion rates increase by 32%, while “Su’s Manager,” with 3 million followers, and education influencer “Xiaoqi” used digital humans to achieve respective increases of 15% in sales conversion rates and 19% in interaction conversion rates; Yangshi Caijing (央视财经) reported that a 7×24-hour uninterrupted AI digital human anchor system costs only two to three thousand yuan per month.

Copyright : During China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2026, Zhongke Qushi (中科趋势), Beijing Guoji Da Shuju Jiaoyisuo (北京国际大数据交易所), Zhongguo Chuanmeidaxue Shuzi Ren Yanjiuyuan (中国传媒大学数字人研究院), Huanyu Xinren (寰宇信任), and Zhongguancun Tongli (中关村通力) jointly established ACV Shuzi Yishu Zichan Jiazhi Yanjiu Lianhe Shiyanshi (ACV数字艺术资产价值研究联合实验室), which was unveiled in Shijingshan District, Beijing. The nation’s first “Digital Human Copyright Service Center” was simultaneously launched online, providing digital human characters with one-stop services including blockchain notarization, digital watermarking, authorization management, and infringement monitoring. Zhongke Qushi (中科趋势) General Manager Zhang Lijin introduced that the platform can issue notarization records equivalent to a “birth certificate” for digital humans. Nearly 20 renowned digital human IPs including Xiangyou Jusheng (相由橘生)’s Miyou Mio, Zhejiang Television’s virtual host Gu Xiaoyu and Lan Xiaotian, Jisi Technology’s digital artist KOKO.蔻, and WAI Gongzuoshi (WAI工作室)’s “Paper Phone” protagonist Axing were among the first batch to settle on the platform. After Aomen Keji Daxue (澳门科技大学)’s digital student Alice completed platform registration, she was quickly signed by production company Zhima Yingxiang (芝麻映像) to star as the female lead in National Radio and Television Administration’s registered online story film “Investiture of the Gods: North Sea Demon Suppression.” In parallel, the audio dataset of virtual singer Luo Tianyi from Shanghai Bili Bili Keji (上海哔哩哔哩科技有限公司) received a data intellectual property registration certificate from Shanghaishi Zhishichanquanju (上海市知识产权局), marking the nation’s first case of a completely virtual human audio data product completing data intellectual property confirmation. China National Data Administration simultaneously launched nationwide unified data property rights registration work, with Beijing Guoji Da Shuju Jiaoyisuo (北京国际大数据交易所) and Shenzhen Shuju Jiaoyisuo (深圳数据交易所) becoming among the first batch of registration institutions. Suzhou Xuanxing Zhihui Keji (苏州绚星智慧科技) filed a patent application for “script generation methods based on role-playing,” using a three-layer control structure to enhance behavioral controllability of digital human role-playing and prevent hallucinations and character deviation.

Enterprise : In the energy and industrial sectors, Shiyou Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.’s Pota AI digital human agents have created three “new colleagues” for Xinan Wutan (西南物探) subsidiaries: news anchors “Xiaochuan” and “Dashan,” and “Shannv,” who handles public account Q&A interactions; Pota’s similar technology has also been applied to Guojiadianwang (国家电网)’s privately deployed digital humans in intelligent showrooms, Xinao Jituan (新奥集团) showroom AI digital human “Enniu Zhiban,” Nanning Jichang (南宁机场)’s 12 multilingual AI digital human all-in-one devices “Guifeifei,” Yunnan Jiaotou Jituan (云南交投集团)’s smart showroom 3D digital human, and Beijingshi Fengtaiqu Zhengwu Fuwuzhongxin (北京市丰台区政务服务中心)’s digital civil servant “Fengxiaoshu.” The China Unicom partner conference showcased Liantong Yuanjing (联通元景)’s digital employee, Yunzhi Shouji (云智手机) and Yunzhi Diannao (云智电脑)’s digital human interactive smart life assistant, as well as digital government service systems featuring digital humans that have gone live in multiple cities. Financial sector digital human applications took center stage at 2026’s China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS): Gongshangyinhang (工商银行)’s digital human “Xiaozheng” explains the one-click calculation intelligent assistant for housing funds, Nongyeyinhang (农业银行)’s exclusive AI digital human “Nongxiaoyun” provides booth presentations and collaborates with the digital yuan exhibition area to present holographic 3D naked-eye floating imaging, and Jiansheyinhang (建设银行) launched customer manager AI intelligent assistant “Bangde Zhuli (帮得助理).” At the capital markets level, multiple A-share companies have disclosed digital human-related businesses: Beijing Jetsen Technology Co., Ltd.’s affiliated enterprise Shiyou Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. has cumulatively “revived” over 600 virtual IP images; Tianyou Dejiu (天佑德酒) disclosed its Qingke liquor digital virtual character “Li Ling’er” used for brand digital marketing; Sichuan Newsnet Media Group introduced the virtual host “Xiaoya” integrating AR, AI and motion capture technology; Xinhuanet established Xinhua Digital Human Laboratory and invested in Xinhua Zhiyun Keji (新华智云科技) to develop a media brain intelligent production platform; Nuwaai’s NuwaAI intelligent agent digital human cloud service platform launched the digital human “Li Bai” interactive debut at Ganping ancient town in Longgang, Shenzhen; Hebei Broadcasting and Television Wireless Media developed a digital human interactive system based on large language models and multimodal models for pan-screen terminals such as IPTV set-top boxes. Wulanchabu Shitushuguan (乌兰察布市图书馆) launched AI intelligent librarian “Tudoudu,” with interactive screens featuring digital humans modeled on local elements like grasslands and potatoes helping readers search collections. At the opening ceremony of Tianjin’s 19th “Hanyu Qiao (汉语桥)” World Middle School Students Chinese Competition, the exclusive artificial intelligence virtual character “Xiaoqiao” made a debut appearance greeting middle school students worldwide.

Cultural : At the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) Sichuan Pavilion, Mingtu Technology unveiled two products: an AI sugar painting machine and an intelligent digital human avatar. The latter allows merchants to “feed” knowledge bases by uploading text, images, videos and other materials to create personized digital shop assistants in hotel, library, and supermarket scenarios. At the 27th China International Optoelectronic Exposition in Shenzhen, Jupiter SR presented digital human content through a 43-inch light-field commercial display screen, leveraging spatial reality display technology to free digital figures from traditional screen constraints and present them with volumetric and spatial presence, while arranging live cosplayers to interact and take photos simultaneously. In VR immersive reading equipment procured by Anhui Bengbushi Tushuguan (蚌埠市图书馆), the built-in VR 2.0 virtual science popularization world system features AI digital human characters with translucent bodies and red VR headsets, supporting voice interaction and content operation narration.

Ethical Contexts : Cyberspace Administration of China The “Clear and Rectify AI Application Chaos” special campaign continues to advance. On the first anniversary of the implementation of the “Measures for Labeling AI-Generated and Synthetic Content,” experts have pointed out that the measures have incorporated AI digital persons, AIGC and other scenarios into labeling supervision scope, yet explicit labels are prone to being cropped and implicit labels are easily lost during cross-platform circulation. National Radio and Television Administration The “Micro-Drama Development Management Measures” implemented starting September 1 require that AI-generated micro-drama works carry reminder labels. Douyin (抖音) Platforms have published results from special governance on minor protection, having disposed of 200,000 items of non-compliant content involving the use of AI technology to fabricate tragic images of minors to attract traffic in the past month. Typical cases include accounts using AI to generate scenes such as “minors with full-body burns lying in hospital beds” to induce interaction for profit; reporter investigations have also discovered that large quantities of AI-generated virtual child micro-dramas such as “The Abandoned Baby in the Marquis Residence, Yet Heaven’s Favored Daughter” and “Feng Marrow Descends from Heaven, Adorable Nine-Year-Old Master Arrives” are rife with “adultified” storylines involving reincarnation conflicts and abuse-related harm. Industry insiders point out that detailed standards for whether AI-generated virtual child images should be subject to regulatory constraints equivalent to those on real-life children remain lacking. The facial image authorization trading platform Xinzhao (新爪) has brokered nearly 70 transactions within two months of its launch, with ordinary users authorizing portraits for as little as approximately 500 yuan per instance; lawyers Shang Xiangjun and Duan Rui point out that facial images constitute sensitive personal information, with blanket authorization, perpetual authorization and retransfer clauses posing contractual pitfalls, and risks of facial materials flowing into criminal enterprises have already emerged, leaving ordinary users facing difficulties in evidence collection and accountability. The commercialization of virtual images has also sparked controversy over endorsement liability: the AI short-drama female lead “Fang Taozi” once narrated in first person her real experience using a certain contact lens product in endorsement, and because as a virtual image she possesses no physiological senses, it triggered advertisement takedown and regulatory department investigation. Legal professionals point out that AI digital persons lack independent legal personality under China’s current laws and cannot serve as endorsement persons within the meaning of advertising law. Zhongguo Rengongzhineng Chanye Fazhan Lianmeng (中国人工智能产业发展联盟) The Smart Entertainment Committee was established in Beijing, Xinli Chuanmei (新丽传媒), Zhengwu Yangguang (正午阳光), Ningmeng Yingshi (柠萌影视), iQIYI, Tengxun Shipin (腾讯视频) and other core units participated, and He Bo, director of the Internet Law Center of China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, interpreted the “Digital Virtual Person Information Service Management Measures (Draft for Public Comment),” proposing that clear authorization mechanisms should be established for artists’ digital avatars and reuse of personality elements.

Technology : IT Zhijia (IT之家) released a 2026 AI Agent Digital Human Service Provider Comparison, contrasting Wangduizhang AI Chaoji Xueyuan (王队长AI超级学院)’s XAgent Xinxingxian Zhineng Ti (XAgent芯行线智能体), Shanjian (闪剪), MoFa (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd. “Mo Fa You Yan (魔珐有言)”, Xiaobing Gongsi (小冰公司)AI Being framework and Shengshu Technology Vidu series models in terms of differences in digital human content production efficiency and ease of use, with MoFa (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd. officially stating that its 3D digital human platform has served over 1,000 enterprises and thousands of hyper-realistic digital human images capable of minute-level rendering.