Beijing-based streaming platform iQIYI unveiled its new “NaDou Pro” AI Artist Library on Monday, claiming over 100 actors had signed agreements to join, including Ma Su, Zeng Shunxi, Chen Zheyuan, and Jiang Long.
The initiative is designed to offer a standardized database for AI-generated content creators seeking virtual representation of celebrities in film and television projects.
However, the announcement sparked immediate controversy as several actors publicly denied granting such authorization, with statements posted on social media emphasizing they had no involvement in the program.
iQIYI responded by clarifying that no artist would be included in the AI library without confirmed consent, and that the platform aimed to protect intellectual property while exploring AI-driven production tools.
The controversy highlights growing tensions in China’s entertainment industry over the use of artificial intelligence, as studios and streaming platforms experiment with virtual actors against a backdrop of evolving legal and ethical considerations.
