Chinese actors replaced by AI profiles by iQiyi:

Chinese audiences are now accustomed to numerous creations entirely generated by artificial intelligence. The use of AI in cinema is common, but when the country’s largest online video service, iQiyi, goes too far, the Chinese react. What caused an uproar on social media is the announcement by the Chinese Netflix of a database of actors. Each actor will have an AI profile, usable in future films or series. No need to physically shoot the scenes, the human actor will be replaced by their artificial profile.

“iQiyi has gone crazy”

In response to criticism, iQiyi executives were forced to react, explaining that actors must give their consent. For the platform’s boss, Gong Hu, there are only benefits for actors: “The actor’s job is hard, they have to work more than 10 hours a day without any privacy. Thanks to AI, they will have a life similar to that of an office worker.” To support his point, the group presented short AI-generated ads inspired by its series “Pursuit of Jade” during a press conference. Characters with features close to those of real actors were seen. But that wasn’t enough. “iQiyi has gone crazy” was the most commented phrase on Weibo at the beginning of the week, accusing the platform of wanting to dehumanize cinema by removing all human creation and warmth.