iQIYI’s AI Artist Library encounters escalating challenges as actors refuse to grant authorization.

      Credit: iQIYI

      On Monday, the Chinese streaming service iQIYI launched its AI Artist Library initiative to much fanfare, announcing that over 100 artists had already joined the program. The company indicated that the initiative will utilize authorized multimodal data to create digital avatars of performers and aim to position the library as a scalable and compliant solution for AI-driven film and television production. However, the rollout encountered challenges almost immediately.

      Following the announcement, the studio of Chinese actor Zhang Ruoyun released a statement refuting any involvement, asserting they had never signed any AI-related authorization and that legal action was being pursued. Similar rejections came from representatives of renowned Chinese actors Wang Churan, Li Yitong, and Yu Hewei, which led to increased online scrutiny and raised questions about the validity of iQIYI’s assertions. In response to the escalating criticism, iQIYI sought to clarify its position, presenting the artist library not as a finalized list of contracted AI performers, but rather as a matchmaking system for AIGC creators. In this framework, being included suggests a possible openness to exploring AI-related projects, while any actual involvement—along with format, scope, and compensation—would still necessitate individual negotiations, akin to traditional production processes. Zhang Ruoyun’s studio stated that its legal team is addressing the matter urgently.

      Despite this distinction, concerns have not been fully alleviated. Critics contend that terms like “signed” and “onboarded” have muddied the line between exploratory interest and formal authorization, leading to potential misunderstandings. Legal experts have also pointed out inherent risks in the structure: even with consent, the repurposing of an actor’s likeness and performance data in AI systems raises intricate questions regarding ownership, control, and long-term rights management.

      Beyond the immediate public relations issues, this incident highlights a broader tension within the entertainment industry. As generative AI tools transition from experimentation to actual production, platforms like iQIYI are racing to establish infrastructure for digital performers. However, in the absence of clear standards regarding consent, compensation, and governance, these efforts may clash with the very talent ecosystem they rely on. Thus, the controversy serves not only as a singular misstep but as an early indication that scaling AI in creative sectors will demand not only technical competence but also new contractual frameworks and a closer alignment between platform narratives and artist expectations.

      Jessie Wu is a tech journalist based in Shanghai. She reports on consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. Reach her via email at jessie.wu@technode.com.