26 September 2026 News

Entertainment : Jinpai (劲牌) and Beijing Wanyi Hudong (北京玩意互动) launched “The Legend of Nine Spirits,” the health liquor industry’s first brand AI animated drama, upgrading digital human IPs—Dongfang Jin, Fang Xiaojing, and Health Duck—from flat virtual images to personalized characters with distinct personalities, backstories, and emotional bonds. The work has landed on Zhongguo Jinjiu (中国劲酒)’s video account, Douyin account, and major animated drama platforms. Wondershare continues to expand talent layout in cities including Changsha through AIGC software business, with its digital creative tool matrix covering the entire short drama chain from video generation to digital human performance. Youku (优酷) renamed the 2016 series “Just One Smile Is Very Alluring” to “A Smile That Captivates” and relaunched it, using AI face-swapping technology to replace all scenes of original female lead Bei Weiwei with actress Wang Zhuyue’s face. Wang Zhuyue herself posted to confirm authorization for the face-swap and apologized, while revealing she has transitioned to behind-the-scenes work. Dongfeng Richan (东风日产) partnered with an AI digital human image authorized by Stephen Chow to launch a Mid-Autumn Festival micro film “A Bowl of Darkly Enchanting Fried Rice,” allowing “Stephen Zhou” to recreate classic scenes from “God of Cookery” in digital human form within the short film, and thereby proposed the brand stance that “videos can be AI, but car manufacturing must be real,” drawing a clear boundary between AI marketing and whole-vehicle safety testing. Nanjing Fengongsi (南京分公司) and Jiangsu Wangluowenxue Gu (江苏网络文学谷) signed a micro short-drama industry cooperation agreement to jointly develop AIGC short-drama creation, intelligent editing, digital human production, and compliance content review training, and leverage Jiangsu Youxian (江苏有线)’s cultural computing center to provide computing power for AIGC short-drama generation. Jizhi Hudong ( ZITZO ) (集之互动(ZITZO)) proposed a comprehensive risk control system for AI short-drama commercialization, requiring enterprise-grade digital human graphics-driven algorithms to complete algorithm registration, standardizing the use of digital humans in advertising dramas.

Cultural Heritage and Tourism : Digital economy scholar Liu Xingliang proposed at the 2026 Shaanxi Province Cultural Tourism and Technology Innovation Achievement Promotion Activity that Shaanxi should become a high-density experimental field for “AI+cultural tourism,” recommending enhanced digital human experiences that allow the Terracotta Army and historical witnesses of ancient Chang’an to “speak and narrate history,” enabling tourists to immersively experience interactive explanations and narrative performances; Shanxilishibowuguan (陕西历史博物馆) the “Silk Road Around the World” Cloud Classroom project has applied virtual digital humans and 5G live streaming technology to transform Silk Road history into forms popular with young people such as flourishing Tang Dynasty fashion shows; at the Mid-Autumn Cultural Practice Activity in Hangzhou’s Qiantang District, AI digital human “Poetry Immortal” held a “Xiasha Barley Burn” wine cup while reciting Mid-Autumn poems, and the situational drama “Moonlight Across Ancient and Modern Times” enabled ancient figures to appear on screen in dialogue with modern university students and new farmers; Quanguofulian (全国妇联) launched digital human “Lianlian,” accompanying audiences in reading Su Shi’s “Water Melody Song: When Will the Bright Moon Appear”; Jingan Guoji Shiting Yishu Jianianhua (静安国际视听艺术嘉年华) in the experience space displayed an interactive virtual human “Blue and White Dragon,” Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications while Shanghaixijuxueyuan (上海戏剧学院) brought AI+XR kunqu opera work “Strolling in the Garden: The Dream Startled,” allowing traditional Chinese aesthetic culture to present entirely new artistic expression through AI and XR technology; Hubei Dianying Wenhua Jianianhua (湖北电影文化嘉年华) at the Wuhan main venue activity, leading national AI film and television enterprises displayed digital human interactive experiences, allowing tourists to generate personalized digital human images on the spot through photography and engage in dialogue and interaction with them.

Finance and Banking : Yunnan Fu Dian Yinhang (富滇银行) has developed an AI agent based on the digital human IP prototype “Aduo,” providing 7×24-hour financial services, travel and accommodation consultation for sports event audiences; Zhongguogongshangyinhang (中国工商银行) launched a 3D digital human “Gongxiao Zhe” at the fifth Global Digital Trade Expo Industrial and Commercial Bank of China exhibition hall, serving as the booth’s “chief explainer” leveraging AI large models and professional knowledge bases, and introducing the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s enterprise-grade financial large model Gongyinzhiyong (工银智涌), which has covered more than 30 business sectors and landed in over 600 scenarios; Huawei and Guowang Shanxi Xintong Gongsi (国网陕西信通公司), based on Huawei Ascend Atlas computing clusters, jointly innovated to create desktop AI digital avatar “Qin Xiaozhi,” reshaping grassroots power grid workflow processes through the digital avatar role; Wande ( Wind ) (万得(Wind)) launched Wind Alice for Advisor and Alice Link client acquisition services, providing wealth advisors with expert agent collaboration capabilities in customer relationship management, financial planning, market research, products, asset allocation, risk control, compliance review, and presentation and PPT abilities, with digital avatars handling routine customer inquiries first and escalating complex issues to human advisors; Pingan Chanxian Shanxi Fengongsi (平安产险陕西分公司) jointly with Xianshi Gonganju Jiaotongguanli Zhidui (西安市公安局交通管理支队) launched a “Golden Autumn Double Festival·Safe Journey” risk reduction public welfare campaign, innovatively introducing a “Shaanxi Financial Consumer Protection Traditional Chinese Style digital human plush toy,” forming a “Safety Protection Dream Team” with traffic police IP “Yongan Jun” and Ping An mascot “An’an” for civilization science education interaction; Beijing Guoji Renliziben Jituan (北京国际人力资本集团)’s subsidiary Waiqi Shuke (外企数科), leveraging big data and artificial intelligence algorithms, launched digital human images including “HR Miss,” “Aili,” and “Duo Duo” at Zhongguo ( Beijing ) Guoji Fuwu Maoyi Jiaoyihui (中国(北京)国际服务贸易交易会), achieving real-time dialogue and physical feedback capabilities in professional scenarios.

Enterprise and Marketing : Zhongke Tongliang (中科通量) showcased Global Digital Trade Expo digital human solutions at the fifth SmarCo AI Shuzi Yuangong (SmarCo AI数字员工) exhibition. The solution comprises digital human avatars, enterprise knowledge, multimodal interaction, and local computing power, enabling it to handle high-frequency standardized tasks such as reception and consultation, guided tours, training conferences, and content marketing. It covers four major scenarios: AI lobby managers, AI training instructors, AI customer acquisition livestream hosts, and AI meeting assistants, providing intelligent services for business halls, bank branches, retail showrooms, and corporate exhibition halls. Beauty brands including Oulaiya (欧莱雅) and Leqi Jituan (乐其集团) are exploring dual-mode livestream operations combining real humans and digital humans. Real-person hosts manage key promotional nodes and prime traffic periods to ensure interactive quality, while digital humans operate during off-peak nighttime slots to achieve round-the-clock traffic capture and cost reduction with efficiency gains.

Livestreaming and E-commerce : Top streamer Li Jiaqi has expressed a vision to create an “AI version of Li Jiaqi,” a digital avatar that would remain in the livestream room after the real person ends their broadcast and rests, keeping company with consumers shopping in the early morning hours. However, he emphasized that AI is forever “yesterday’s me,” unable to replace the real streamer’s ability to capture new information and generate fresh viewpoints; Meiwan ( Mei ONE ) (美腕(美ONE)) tested an independent digital human streamer called “Yiyi” in the “All Girls” livestream room as early as the 618 period in 2024, subsequently introducing an AI teaching assistant in “Li Jiaqi’s Little Classroom” to assist with copy rewriting, lip-syncing, and one-click video production; JD.com has been deploying a virtual streamer called “Xiaomei” in livestream rooms for YSL Shengluolan (YSL圣罗兰), Keyanshi (科颜氏) and other beauty brands since 2022, handling product explanations and extended livestreams; Zishengtang (资生堂) once introduced the virtual IP AYAYI into Tianmao (天猫) livestream rooms to co-promote new products with real-person streamers; Liu Qiangdong’s digital avatar “Purchasing Director Liu” has been used in JD.com purchasing and sales livestream rooms, while Luo Yonghao and Zhu Xiaomo’s digital avatars have completed their livestream debut in Baidu Dianshang (百度电商), attempting to recreate two-person collaboration and product presentation rhythm; in accordance with Taobao (淘宝) relevant regulations and artificial intelligence generated synthetic content identification methods, digital human livestreams must prominently label the virtual streamer identity and continuously remind consumers that the content is generated by artificial intelligence technology.

Personal AI Companion : Huang Zhao (hanniman), a master’s student at Tsinghua University, experienced a domestic personal AI assistant product Today, which can clarify task priorities across calendar, file, email, WeChat and other scenarios for users juggling multiple identities as entrepreneurs, AI content creators, and Tsinghua students, while proactively reminding and following up on social relationships and project progress. The product is considered China’s first Personal AI product with relatively high completion; industry observation shows that “AI doppelgänger” products for IP and KOL figures have already seen commercialization cases domestically, such as a female emotional IP launching a paid AI doppelgänger emotional consulting app based on its fan base, and economist Fu Peng also promoting a limited-access personal AI doppelgänger Q&A service. However, the industry believes that if AI doppelgängers remain merely at the level of “importing knowledge bases,” their user engagement and renewal rates will be difficult to sustain long-term.

Education : Hubei Guotuziyuan Zhiye Xueyuan (湖北国土资源职业学院) and Wuhan Pingxing Yuzhou Wangluokeji (武汉平行宇宙网络科技有限公司) jointly unveiled and established 808 Donghua Menggongchang (808动画梦工厂) a practical training base for industry-education integration, launching the nation’s first batch of “AIGC Film and Television Creation Classes.” The teaching program includes students using self-created AI characters to complete daily morning meeting digital human check-ins, with the system automatically evaluating speech naturalness, microexpression synchronization rates, and brand identity alignment. Tianjin Hongen Wanmei Weilai Jiaoyu Keji (天津洪恩完美未来教育科技有限公司) filed a patent application for “embodied interactive companion learning methods,” which drives a virtual learning companion to output embodied interactive content with synchronized audio and visuals. During user reading, interactive content is generated based on learning profiles, and feedback voice is analyzed to assess whether interactive objectives have been met in order to determine the next round of follow-up questions or node switching.

Legacy and Tribute : Zhongguo Guojia Huajuyuan (中国国家话剧院) Performing artist You Benzhang passed away in Beijing on September 24, 2026, at the age of 93. He had announced his entry into the short-drama market through a video at a micro-short drama conference in September 2025, planning to produce short dramas featuring the Ji Gong theme and stating that “I am grateful for technological advancement—not only can I perform, but I can also restore the young Ji Gong through digital human technology.” His daughter You Sihan played an important role in the related company of the collaboration project. The Ji Gong IP commercialization adopted a three-party structure with Hongguo Duanju (红果短剧) providing the platform, Huanxi Dao Ji Wenhuachuanmei (欢喜道济文化传媒) providing the IP, and Wenshuocheng Yingye (温硕成影业) providing production, and You Benzhang completed familial arrangements for control of the Ji Gong IP during his lifetime. According to reports, You Benzhang authorized production teams to use AI digital avatars combined with live-action footage to complete advertisements and short-drama shooting, while he himself insisted on appearing on camera to record a blessing video. On New Year’s Day this year, he also sent New Year’s greetings to netizens in the form of a “digital Ji Gong.”

Brand and Consumer Products : Qinghai Huzhu Tianyou De Qingkejiu (青海互助天佑德青稞酒股份有限公司) previously confirmed on an interactive platform that “Li Ling’er” is a digital virtual character created by the company for qingke barley wine. The company stated that the qingke digital human project is a product of the collision between traditional Chinese industries and modern technology, integrating regional characteristics and the historical culture of qingke barley wine with the digital human image, serving as a foundation for the enterprise’s entry into digitalized marketing.