11 October 2026 News

Entertainment : Hongguo Duanju (红果短剧) is building a complete AI virtual actor matrix, with at least nine virtual characters including Jiang Yuechu, Duan Yan, He Pingsheng, and Yan Xu already possessing independent “actor identities,” opening dedicated accounts, publishing behind-the-scenes content, and conducting live operations. Virtual characters such as Lu Chuan from “Everyone’s Reborn, Who’s Still Pretending to Be a Rich Second-Generation Kid,” Gu Linchuan from “On Our Wedding Day, He Came to Marry Me by Helicopter,” and Su Han from “Everyone’s Survival, My Skills Are a Bit Too Many” have transitioned from dramas into the Hongguo community and live streaming rooms, leveraging AI virtual human skin-changing technology to replace images and voice tones in real time, and collaborating with brands including Hailanzhiman (海蓝之曼) and Tianmao (天猫) on content co-creation and live commerce in dramas such as “Shocking! The Father of the Child I Share with My Rival.” COL Group Co., Ltd. has achieved doubled revenue and phased balance between gains and losses through AI short dramas and overseas platform FlareFlow, Mango Excellent Media is accelerating the commercialization of AI medium-to-long dramas driven by AI multimodal technology, Bona Yingye (博纳影业)’s subsidiary Boyue Xingji Lantu (博越星纪蓝图) launched China’s first hyperrealistic AI cinema film “Sanxingdui: Stories from the Future,” Huace Yingshi (华策影视) has integrated AI applications across the entire process from scripts to distribution, and Guomai Wenhua (果麦文化) incubated Guomaizhiyu (果麦智娱) which released the AI short drama “A Rebellious Soul in Three Realms: Heavenly Court Cannons Season One.” Qi Wei (戚薇) authorized its name, image, and voice to the AI manga drama “Last Summer of the Apocalypse” to create digital alter ego Han Qingxia, Wang Zuxian (王祖贤) authorized its peak-era image to Wangyi 《 Tianxia 》 (网易《天下》) for producing a full-AIGC commercial, and actors including Wu Qihua (吴启华) and You Benchang (游本昌) have successively opened AI image licensing. “Live-action AI drama” productions such as “Escort” and “Immortal Rather Than Lovers,” as well as three new dramas including “Beauty’s Scheming: The Story of Xi Shi” jointly produced by Yu Zheng (于正) Huanyu Yingshi (欢娱影视) and Xiao Yunque AI (小云雀AI), along with the AIGC online story film series “Soul Ferry: Floating Dreams” including “Butterfly Dream” and “Goddess Dream,” constitute diverse practices in domestic AI manga dramas and live-action AI hybrid productions. Industry exchanges such as Xinbang AI Sixiang Hui (新榜AI思享会) also indicate that AI-native actor Fang Taozi, AI singer Hanqing Studio (Yuri), AI artist Jin Daoyu, and AI variety show “Fruit Island Romance” are exploring pathways from content hits to commercial monetization.

Marketing and E-commerce : Multiple Chinese enterprises are developing products around branded digital humans and AI voice-over capabilities: Ao Ruijin (奥瑞金) partnered with Beijing Cishi Culture Media to launch the first virtual health assistant “Xiaoxi,” embedded in the QR code on “Xiwang (犀旺)” beverage cans to enable real-time interaction between consumers and sports health assistants; Nuwaai subsidiary NuwaAI intelligent agent digital human cloud service platform previously debuted digital human “Li Bai” at Gankeng Guzhen (甘坑古镇), featuring poetry recitation, rock singing and interactive livestream commerce capabilities; Shentong Kuaidi (申通快递) released an endpoint digital human platform, endpoint VIP services and customizable “SClaw” at the national network conference, extending digital human capabilities to franchise outlets; Aima Keji (爱玛科技) partnered with Volcano Engine and Baidu Zhineng Yun (百度智能云) to develop “Maxiaoai (玛小爱)” AI agent, integrating digital human livestream commerce capabilities into Aima Mobility App. Guangzhou Yueguang Xinxi Keji (广州越光信息科技) filed patents for multinational digital human image and multilingual voice-over automatic adaptation, Shanxi Youqu Rengongzhineng Keji (陕西有趣人工智能科技) filed patents for fully automated digital human voice-over short video generation and publication systems based on video links, Beijing Yuechuang Sanpin Wenhua Keji (北京跃创三品文化科技) filed patents for AI-driven digital avatar visual image automatic generation, Liantong Wo Yinyue Wenhua (联通沃音乐文化) obtained patents for intelligent call processing methods incorporating digital human interaction—these patents all target scalability and automation in digital human content production. Minshengyinhang Guangzhou Fenhang (民生银行广州分行) “Token Loan” service targets include an AI multimodal content production enterprise capable of one-stop digital human asset generation. On the capital markets, Dongpeng Konggu (东鹏控股) virtual digital human “Yiming,” Gelisi (歌力思) virtual character ELISA, Hebei Broadcasting and Television Wireless Media AI-based digital human interaction system (applied to IPTV and smart terminals), Yidian Tianxia (易点天下) and Jincai Hulian (金财互联) virtual digital human concept sectors, as well as * ST Kaiyuan (*ST开元) subsidiary Tianhu Jiaoyu (天琥教育)’s planned virtual digital human laboratory, all demonstrate that digital humans are becoming business and concept labels for multiple listed companies across industries.

Public Services : Huiboxing Shuzi Ren (慧播星数字人) is widely used in local news and information video broadcasting, including coverage of Hong Kong sports industry National Day reception, Lingnan University’s conferment of honorary fellowship to Guo Jingjing, notification videos of the Yongzhou Commerce Bureau director being reported, and multi-brand brake pedal video reports following the automotive “brake failure” incident. In the human resources and employment services field, Hunan Suxianqu (苏仙区) has promoted “AI digital human live streaming job placement,” configuring AI job broadcasting machines and recruitment interactive all-in-one devices, driving 408 person-times of regional employment; after Ningxia Xiwang Xinxi (宁夏希望信息股份有限公司) independently developed the “Xiyan (希言)” large model, it launched digital human social security assistants “Yin Xiaofuwu” and “Xiaoning” and other intelligent agents, integrated into Yinchuan Citizens Hall and Ningxia Government Services Network, achieving 24-hour government affairs Q&A and service guidance. At Beijing Dongchengqu (北京东城区) state-owned enterprise AI empowerment application scenario competition, results including the “Guozi Dongdong” intelligent IP and time-honored brand AI digital humans were displayed, with Tianjie Jituan (天街集团)“Dongfangwenhua AI Zhihui Daoyou Xitong (东方文化AI智慧导游系统)” winning the second prize for central axis culture application practice empowerment. Additionally, Ren Shebu (人社部) mentioned in the “15th Five-Year Plan” social security service planning that certain regions have already equipped residents with AI social security planning assistants, assisting in personalized services such as pension benefit calculations.

Enterprise and Industrial Digital Employees : Qingdao Kaaosi Chuangzhi Wulian (卡奥斯创智物联) leverages “Tianzhi Gongye Da Moxing (天智工业大模型)” to create a “plant manager digital human” intelligent agent that in real-time aggregates core factory data around plant manager responsibilities, automatically identifies anomalies and provides decision-making solutions, forming a management system centered on “digital plant manager” with multi-agent coordination including production supervisors and equipment maintenance, with the model having landed in over 40 application scenarios across four major industries including home appliances, chemicals, and carbon. Zhiyuan Hulian (致远互联) disclosed during institutional research reception that its AI intelligent agent platform CoMi has planned version 3.0, which will combine Skills, MCP and memory management to create “digital twins, business experts,” to enhance intelligent agent execution effectiveness and drive organizational upgrade from “individual efficiency” to “organizational efficiency.” Beijing Sifang Jibao Gongchengjishu (北京四方继保工程技术) and Beijing Sifang Jibao Zidonghua (北京四方继保自动化) filed a patent application for “a multi-modal intelligent interaction method and related device,” dynamically binding tool invocation lifecycle nodes in voice interaction with visual presentation states of virtual avatars, enabling users to intuitively perceive backend execution progress.

Tourism and Cultural Heritage : Haerbin Jidi Gongyuan (哈尔滨极地公园) lit up the “world’s first AI interactive digital media ‘giant sphere’” during the National Day holiday, deeply integrating AI large language models with high-precision digital human-driven technology, and creating an AI digital image called “Taotao” based on the park’s original IP “Taole Penguin,” which has become a “digital tour guide” attracting visitors to check in. Guangxi Minzu Bowuguan (广西民族博物馆) launched the AI intelligent tour guide “Xiaozhuang Wa” starting from the “Third Month Third” festival, and through AI large language models, holographic imaging, and digital twin technology, brought the museum’s collection “feathered human pattern bronze drum with water bird riding decoration” to life as an animated digital human that can “speak.” Zhejiang Jinhua Shuanglong Fengjingqu (浙江金华双龙风景区) installed technology interactive screens at the visitor center and Qingzhao Square, where visitors can converse with “Xiaolongren” and Li Qingzhao virtual images to inquire about information and learn local culture. Chengdu High-Tech Zone’s “Tanshu Bu Dayang (碳叔不打烊)” AI digital cloud warehouse project landed 71 unmanned retail stations in the form of “street AI digital smart stations + digital human store managers.” Shenzhen Huaqiaocheng Lvfa Gongsi (华侨城旅发公司) under Gankeng Guzhen (甘坑古镇) introduced AI digital human interactive experiences during the National Day holiday, setting up an “AI digital human National Day joy ambassador arena competition” that drove nearly 200,000 visitor trips. Yangguangwang (央广网) AIGC creative project “AI China” focused on Hangzhou’s Qiantang District released creative videos, shaping the AI virtual character “Qian Xiaochao” in dialogue across time with Pan Lang (潘阆), Su Shi (苏轼), Liu Yuxi (刘禹锡) and other poets, presenting Qiantang’s “one belt two cities” strategy and industrial landscape. Multiple digital exhibition design companies in Shenzhen (such as Senkesi Keji (森克思科技), Huanan Shuzi Keji (华南数字科技)) are also customizing AI digital human holographic interactive applications for corporate display halls and park exhibition centers.

Competitions and Industry Events : The Second 1010 Agent Digital Human Festival and 2026 Global Agent Competition was held at the Chengdu Technology Innovation Ecological Island, attracting over a thousand teams from more than 180 universities including Peking University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Aomendaxue (澳门大学), and Yuenan Weixin Daxue (越南维新大学) to participate. Mingtu Technology released WorkBrain 6.5 and OPC3.0 Quanqiu Fenbushi Chanye Wangluo (OPC3.0全球分布式产业网络) at the event. A student team, taking the Three Sages Shrine in Meishan and Su Dongpo culture as their blueprint, leveraged agent technology, digital humans, and metaverse technology to create a cultural tourism application prototype, which received actual feedback from visitors during the National Day holiday. The competition’s Macau division held its awards ceremony concurrently, with 24 local Macau teams competing. A joint team from Aomendaxue (澳门大学) and Haojiang Zhongxue (濠江中学) won first prize, focusing on smart cultural tourism upgrades and digital culture activation application scenarios. The competition was organized by Yin Yanying (殷彦影), chairman of Xiading Keji (夏鼎科技有限公司).

Ethical and Regulatory Contexts : Following the death of singer Liu Huan (刘欢), social media platforms saw the emergence of AI-impersonation videos under the name “Liu’s wife,” with the first half leveraging clips of his performances to create a mourning atmosphere, before abruptly pivoting in the second half to promote “Polygonatum and Five-Black Powder” meal replacement powder with product placements, garnering tens of thousands of likes and over ten thousand shares. Meanwhile, Liu Huan’s widow Lu Lu (卢璐) had already publicly stated that neither she nor her husband maintain social media accounts. Public commentary noted that platforms’ small-print disclaimers stating “content generated by AI” cannot serve as liability shields, calling on Cyberspace Administration of China to strengthen enforcement and account bans against the use of AI impersonation in the “Clear·Rectification of Short-Video False Persona Chaos” special action. Concurrently, China has made progress in digital persona intellectual property protection and identity authentication: Shanghaishi Zhishichanquanju (上海市知识产权局) issued bilibili an intellectual property registration certificate for the “Luo Tianyi Audio Dataset” data product, becoming the nation’s first case of intellectual property confirmation for a wholly virtual persona’s audio data; Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone granted AI virtual idol Yuri the nation’s first virtual idol identity authentication and further issued the nation’s first “Digital Artist Card,” bringing it into standardized performance industry regulation. Aodaliyaguangbogongsi (澳大利亚广播公司) reporting indicates that China has at least 1.3 million enterprises related to the digital persona sector, with market scale projected to reach 48 billion yuan in 2025, Beijing has released practical guidelines for radio, television and online video services encouraging enterprises to register identities for digital personas, and the Chinese government website has deployed two AI digital personas to discuss the government work report.

Automotive : Lixiang Qiche (理想汽车) Continued the playbook initiated by founder Li Xiang (李想), who previously went viral promoting the L9 series through an AI avatar singing and rapping, with product line head Li Xinyang (李昕旸) starring in an abstract AI promotional video for ideal’s new i6. Chongqing Landian Qiche Keji (重庆蓝电汽车科技) filed a patent application for “digital avatar loading methods, in-vehicle equipment, and computer-readable storage media,” which uses multi-source predictive signals to pre-load corresponding in-vehicle digital avatars for users in advance, ensuring identity-matching accuracy while reducing the response time for avatar loading.

Academic and Social Commentary : 《Renminribao (人民日报)》a popular science article titled “How Far Are We from ‘Digital Doppelgangers’” points out that personal intelligent agents are prototypes of digital doppelgangers in reality, and some film and television companies and video platforms have established AI artist libraries, where actors such as Qi Wei (戚薇) and Tang Guoqiang (唐国强) have authorized AI works to use their digital doppelgangers to participate in filming and production. New forms of office work such as “digital employees” and “cyber colleagues” are also emerging, yet such applications simultaneously bring new issues regarding personality rights and personal information protection. Research by scholars from Nanjing Ligongdaxue (南京理工大学) and Nanning Shifandaxue (南宁师范大学) mentioned that the “Ningli Hong (宁理红)” intelligent ideological and political education system developed by Zheda Ningbo Ligongxueyuan (浙大宁波理工学院) has been deployed in classroom teaching, leveraging digital human explanations and scene transitions to promote the digitalization and dissemination of red culture. Furthermore, in commentary articles related to “digital-intelligent psychology,” the “Mamu Si (玛姆斯)” system proposed by Liu Zhiou (刘志鸥) transforms 176 cross-civilizational psychological archetypes into AI digital human images for providing cultural healing content.