19 September 2026 News

Entertainment and Film : Actress Qi Wei has become the industry’s first lead actor in an AI drama project to establish a comprehensive compliant authorization system. She has authorized her name, likeness, original voice, and performance style through project-based limited licensing for application to digital avatar “Han Qingxia,” starring in the AI comic drama “Doomsday Summer” adapted from Fanqie Xiaoshuo (番茄小说) IP “Rebirth Stockpiling: Who Spoils You When It’s the End Times.” She appeared at the 83rd Weinisi Guoji Dianyingjie (威尼斯国际电影节) AI Image International Roundtable Forum as a “Chinese-language Film AI Exploration Ambassador” with the film’s trailer. Qi Wei herself serves as art director and digital performer, participating in worldview construction, scene design, music refinement, and completing original voice dubbing. The authorization scope is strictly limited to this single project, with portrait rights remaining with her at all times. The drama has opened pre-reservations on Hongguo Duanju (红果短剧) platform. Meanwhile, Maggie Cheung licensed her peak-years likeness from ages 20-30 to NetEase, Inc.’s “Tianxia” game for the short film “Ethereal Shadow.” Wu Qihua authorized his 20-year-old appearance for an AI film without being on set throughout production. Shenzhen Sun Wei Studio signed a facial image licensing agreement with actor Chen Yilong, leveraging domestic AI video generation models to transform his performance into a “digital avatar” for an AI film. National Radio and Television Administration explicitly stated at a State Council Information Office press conference that it will strongly support live-action dramas, requiring AI drama content labeling and strict adherence to likeness and voice authorization red lines. The agency has already removed 68,000 non-compliant micro-dramas this year.

Short Drama Industry : Mango Excellent Media Leveraging its self-developed Mangguo Lingchuang (芒果灵创) AIGC platform, it has successively launched China’s first prime-time AIGC long-form drama series “Journey to the West Revisited” and the fully AIGC-generated documentary “Taiwan Island Chronicles,” and launched the Mangguo Lingchuang (芒果灵创) Theater brand; Hongguo Duanju (红果短剧) the “Thousand Projects Plan” policy was upgraded to promote the integration of AI manhua dramas with digital human modeling and motion capture technologies, such as Anhui Weishi (安徽卫视) the first AIGC Huangmei Opera micro short drama “Weeding the Pig Grass” utilizing digital human modeling and motion capture to revitalize traditional opera. Fubo Jituan (阜博集团) Released the “AI Creative Trade Port SeeBay Platform” in Wenzhou, aggregating core capabilities including AI content creation, IP operation, AI digital human licensing, and computing infrastructure; on the platform DreamMaker is responsible for film and television production, Vobile MAX is responsible for rights confirmation and trading, and signed cooperation agreements with Wenzhou Ligongxueyuan (温州理工学院) and Wenzhou Shuju Jituan (温州数据集团); the FLYTOTO Feitu Tu (FLYTOTO飞兔兔) AI Short Drama Co-creation Platform in Nanning released a Liu Sanjie digital human video, reinterpreting classic folk songs through digital humans; Chongqing Xitou Jituan (重庆西投集团) co-produced the suspense short drama “Wilderness Desperate Situation,” proposing an industrial logic where scripts, characters, digital humans, and copyrights can be deposited as tradable digital assets; Wondershare subsidiary Wanxing Juchang (万兴剧厂) AI intelligent production platform has created multiple hit manhua dramas and expanded into virtual digital human, virtual scene, and virtual live streaming businesses.

Virtual Idols and AI Companions : B Zhan (B站) Virtual singer Luo Tianyi’s “audio dataset” has obtained the Shanghai Municipal Data Product Intellectual Property Registration Certificate, becoming the first nationwide case of a completely virtual human audio data product to achieve rights confirmation. Its 2026 “Infinite Resonance·Pure Blue Fantasy Music” national tour concert has attracted a large fanbase, with fans deeply participating in content co-creation. Virtual idol Luo Tianyi, together with Yuezheng Ling and AI artist Hanqing Studio, form a sample of China’s virtual idol industry. The virtual female protagonist “Fang Taozi” spawned by AI short dramas has rapidly gained popularity due to exquisite modeling and delicate micro-expressions, with a single 60-second advertisement quote reaching 288,000 yuan, surpassing many real-person influencers with tens of millions of followers. Korean-style AI female faces have also frequently gone viral on Douyin (抖音) and other platforms, driving the emergence of incubation projects such as B Zhan (B站)’s “AI Idol Debut Season” and Douyin (抖音)’s “AI Idol Starlight Plan.” Yuehua Entertainment and Banou Yanjiusuo (斑偶研究所) have jointly launched Huang Minghao’s VR music film “Jia’s Dream World·Infinite Player,” allowing audiences to interact with his virtual image through VR devices. The project features entirely manually created visuals with no AI-generated content, and has launched in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing with plans to expand to 20 to 25 cities. Li Di, “father of Xiaoice,” has established Mingri Xincheng (明日新程) (Nextie) after leaving the Xiaoice project, launching AI Tuanzi (AI团子) and cognitive models that continue the “human-machine symbiosis network” social intelligence concept of Xiaoice Island, emphasizing multi-agent collaboration rather than simple numerical accumulation. The otome game “Infinity Nikki” strengthens emotional connections between players and virtual characters through offline telephone reservations and other forms, constituting a typical case of emotionally companionable virtual characters.

Enterprise Customer Service and Aviation : At the fourth Zhongguo Hangxie CATA Hangkong Dahui (中国航协CATA航空大会), Shenzhen Hangkong (深圳航空) unveiled digital human figures exclusive to ground service scenarios, leveraging integrated intelligent terminals incorporating speech recognition and semantic comprehension technologies to create scenario-based intelligent ground services; the holographic virtual digital human customer service representative “Xiaoshen” at the Guohang (国航) booth supports flight inquiries, ticket modifications and refunds, delayed flight certificate processing and multilingual services, with plans for pilot operation at Shenzhen Airport; Nanfang Hangkong (南方航空) showcased virtual digital human customer service, and Xiamenhangkong (厦门航空), Dongfanghangkong (东方航空) and others also demonstrated applications of AI-empowered civil aviation services at the conference.

Healthcare : Hunansheng Renmin Yiyuan (湖南省人民医院) Following the creation of the province’s first AI science popularization IP new media matrix in June 2026, a second batch of AI digital human avatars has been launched, covering 16 backbone experts across hepatobiliary surgery, cardiovascular medicine, orthopedics, respiratory medicine, gynecology, obstetrics and other specialties, with scripts reviewed by doctors and AI completing on-screen performance and video generation, with the first batch of content reaching nearly one million views across all platforms. Zhejiangsheng Shenkuo Kepu Jijinhui (浙江省沈括科普基金会) A project recruitment for the AI science popularization drama “Dr. Z’s Great Adventure” has been launched, utilizing generative AI, digital humans, and three-dimensional microscopic modeling technology to explain vascular health knowledge. Shandongsheng Yaopin Anquan Xuanchuanzhou (山东省药品安全宣传周) The themed activity was held at Yantai He Yiliao Kejiguan (烟台核医疗科技馆), with hosts and digital humans interactively explaining invasive and non-invasive brain-computer interface knowledge. Yunnan Jinrong Jiaoyu Xuanchuanzhou (云南金融教育宣传周) In Kunming, financial science popularization was conducted through AI consumer protection digital human demonstrations and other forms, with Yunnan Xintuo (云南信托) participating in it. Guojia Weijianwei (国家卫健委) In a response to a CPPCC proposal, China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology mentioned that it is promoting the application of AI digital humans, intelligent assistants, and other medical insurance intelligent agents in scenarios such as rehabilitation, radiological examination, and pathology.

Education : Suzhougaoxinqu Jingshan Shiyan Chuji Zhong Xuexiao (苏州高新区景山实验初级中学校) In a junior high school English teaching and research activity, teacher Qian Linxia used a micro-drama titled “Club Recruitment Day” released by the 3D digital human Millie as a driving scenario, guiding students to engage in cross-disciplinary human-AI dialogue with intelligent agents and complete AI-assisted grading. Hailiang Keji (海亮科技) The “AI + Creative Thinking Classroom” solution was showcased Dishierjie Yazhou Jiaoyu Zhuangbei Bolanhui (第十二届亚洲教育装备博览会), leveraging core products Xingxueban (星学伴) and Xingledu (星乐读) and utilizing digital human teaching assistants to optimize language teaching scenarios, attracting consultations from overseas education professionals from Thailand, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Peru and other countries. Xiongan Tushuguan (雄安图书馆) In Xiong’an New Area, Hebei, a digital human “Tu Xiaoan” has been deployed, capable of operating year-round to precisely locate book positions and plan optimal routes, together with intelligent librarian robots and companionable guide robots forming the digital infrastructure for public cultural services.

Automotive Cockpit : At the fourth AI Defines Automobiles Forum held by Gasgoo, Xinghe Zhilian (星河智联) Automotive Technology CPO Wu Ziping proposed that intelligent cabin AI should upgrade from “you command, I execute” to an exclusive partner that proactively perceives, understands, and closes the loop on user needs. The system supports users in customizing AI companion styles and matching different MBTI attributes, complemented by in-vehicle virtual avatars and physical robots as carriers, with AIOS system serving as the unified hub for cabin and whole-vehicle intelligence, promoting end-cloud collaboration and scenario-based intelligent agent ecosystem development. The Doubao (豆包) assistant equipped in Rongweijiayue 07 (荣威嘉悦07) has for the first time realized the fusion of “four-zone audio array” with AI large models, with four seats in the front and rear rows each possessing independent digital avatars that can synchronously respond to multi-location commands without requiring wake words, while demonstrating capabilities such as intent reasoning and multi-demand route coordination, reflecting how AI-native vehicle models are rewriting the logic of human-vehicle interaction.

Consumer Electronics : Xiaomi (小米) Officially announced that actress Sun Qian has been appointed as Xiaomi 18 Pro (小米18 Pro) series new product experience ambassador, showcasing the “versatile back screen” AI customization feature, which allows users to upload pet photos to generate exclusive 3D interactive avatars or AI virtual avatar digital personas. The back screen also supports AI-generated app cards, with the previous generation Xiaomi (小米) 17 Pro back screen exceeding 4 million app card uses daily and over 3.5 million wallpaper additions per day. Zhonghuadianxin (中华电信) At the “5G Vertical Domain Application Experience Activity” held by the Digital Development Department in Lianjiang County, exhibited AI virtual person Lumina serving as a cultural guide, combining generative AI, 5G, and Web AR technologies to provide immersive interactive narration for the Mazu Mausoleum divination culture and tourist attractions in Matsu. Baidu The first half of 2026 financial report shows significant growth in AI application revenue, with its AI-native marketing service flagship product “Baidu Yijing (百度一镜)” winning an award at the Busan International Advertising Festival with an “AI Fan Zhiyi real-time interactive digital human” integrated marketing case, and consecutively holding the top market share in China’s AI digital human market for two years.

Capital Markets and Digital Human Enterprises : Multiple A-share companies have been included in relevant concept sectors due to their virtual digital human business layouts: Hebei Broadcasting and Television Wireless Media under Hebei Radio and Television has developed an AI-based digital human interactive system, completing image capture modeling, skeletal motion binding, and interactive engine development, which can seamlessly integrate into IPTV set-top boxes, OTT and other pan-screen applications; Sichuan Newsnet Media Group under Sichuan Newsnet Media Group launched its first virtual IP “Xiaoya,” integrating AR, AI, and motion capture technology to enable virtual anchors to interact with real environments; Qiwei Keji (七维科技), a company with equity stakes from Guangxian Chuanmei (光线传媒), provides digital human technology in virtual reality products and has been commissioned to develop generative AI toolsets for Wanda; the virtual image IP “Hilarious Sisters” from Huaqiaocheng Wenlv Keji (华侨城文旅科技), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yunnanlvyou (云南旅游), can now conduct real-time live interactive broadcasts, with fan counts across the network exceeding tens of millions; Ningshui Jituan (宁水集团) initiated the launch of AI virtual humans and digital culture metaverse layouts in early 2025; Shenzhen’s Nuwaai released the “NuwaAI” intelligent agent digital human cloud service platform, and launched a digital human “Li Bai” debut event at Gankeng Ancient Town in Longgang, Shenzhen, reciting poems and performing rock music across genres to attract visitor interaction.

Cultural Tourism and Public Services : Chengdu Mingtu Keji (成都明途科技) Focusing on AI agent and digital human technology research and development, combining historical figures and local cultural IP digital humans with AR interaction and holographic devices to transform into interactive experiences; Hanzhongshi (汉中市) At the launch ceremony of the “Han Style Autumn Charm” tourism month, hosting an AI+ cultural tourism industry cooperation promotion conference and releasing “Tianhan Lingzhi (天汉灵智)” “Tianhan Rongmei (天汉融媒)” and other AI intelligent digital cultural tourism large models covering application scenarios such as virtual digital human narration; Heilongjiangsheng Wenhua He Lvyou Ting (黑龙江省文化和旅游厅) jointly with Haerbingongyedaxue (哈尔滨工业大学) hosting a cultural tourism artificial intelligence application creative collection activity, encouraging innovation in immersive experience in snow and ice scenarios and digital human guide directions; in the intelligent digital entertainment exhibition area at Hangzhou Global Digital Trade Expo, the “Xiangsu Yueqian (像素跃迁) AI Travel Companion” mini-program integrates cultural heritage vertical domain large models with multimodal digital human interaction, already launched in more than 20 venues including Deshou Palace and Lanting; Nanchang Tengwangge (南昌滕王阁) during the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, a digital virtual person “Wang Bo” served as the intelligent scoring examiner for “Behind the Sequence Pavilion,” with qualified visitors eligible for free park admission; Xiamenshi (厦门市) at the opening ceremony of the eighth Network Security Publicity Week, a “Network Security Hero” digital person fun interactive session was set up, and during the national network security publicity week the Jinan main venue launched an “AI-Replicated Digital Human” interactive experience, with Sanming, Fujian and Shanghai also setting up AI fraud detection and security publicity scenarios featuring digital humans; Zhongguo Tielu (中国铁路) during network security publicity week related activities, using AI digital human fraud case demonstrations to enhance travelers’ awareness of prevention.

Ethical and Legal Contexts : In response to the rampant AI face-swapping chaos, Chengdu OST Chuanmei (OST传媒) leveraged Yingjie Zhineng (映界智能) technology platform to complete intellectual property registration of multimodal portrait datasets for over one hundred influencers and artists under its banner, becoming the first case of portrait data rights confirmation and registration in the nation’s MCN industry. Platform founder Dai Fang pointed out that portrait rights confirmation can protect personal image, provide blockchain evidence for rights protection and remedies, and unlock passive income. Zuigaorenminfayuan (最高人民法院) released the first judicial ruling on AI-related cases, clarifying that AI face-swapping and voice synthesis constitute infringement when “identifiable,” establishing that generating recognizable virtual images or imitating vocal tone and speech patterns without consent respectively constitute infringement of portrait rights and sound rights, and establishing platform “safe harbor rules” and AI “doxing” privacy protection regulations. National Radio and Television Administration simultaneously reached consensus with iQIYI, Tengxun Shipin (腾讯视频), Youku (优酷), Mangguo TV (芒果TV), Kuaishou, COL Group Co., Ltd. and 16 other platform institutions, requiring that any “face fusion” or “voice fusion” must obtain explicit authorization from rights holders. Meanwhile, online activities have emerged under the guise of “AI short drama face-selling part-time jobs” collecting portrait authorizations from ordinary people for use in AI short drama generation, presenting significant risks. Lawyers cautioned that portrait rights cannot be bought out through exploitative clauses such as “perpetual authorization, global scope, and secondary transfer authorization,” and that facial features as non-replaceable biometric information, once leaked or used in vulgar, illegal content or deepfake fraud, will bring long-term risks. Beijingwudaoxueyuan (北京舞蹈学院) Professor Xiao Xiangrong, in research on the digital-intelligent development of Chinese dance, explored the impact of virtual humans, motion capture, and real-time rendering technology on dance embodied experience, cultural context, and ethical boundaries, proposing that the value structure of the dancing body should be confirmed through “embodied cultural assets,” and warning against algorithmic appropriation of ethnic dance techniques and cultural interpretive authority.