Notes:
Zhejiang has become a national leader in integrating digital humans into various sectors, including e-commerce, media, healthcare, education, and government services. Highlights include the launch of multilingual AI digital human livestreaming tools by China Mobile Zhejiang, the establishment of digital human studios by Zhejiang TV, and collaborations with platforms like Alipay for AI healthcare assistants such as “Anzhener.” The Zhejiang provincial government has proactively issued detailed regulatory guidelines to standardize AI digital human livestreaming, protect consumer rights, and manage emerging legal issues. Educational institutions like Zhejiang University and companies such as Alibaba and Tencent have contributed to R&D and open-source AI digital human frameworks.
The Zhejiang Provincial Guidelines for Online Live Marketing Practices, issued by the Zhejiang Provincial Market Supervision Administration in late September 2024, marks the first official regulatory framework in China specifically addressing the use of AI digital humans in livestreaming commerce. The guidelines list 30 detailed compliance requirements for livestream operators, aiming to curb misconduct, prevent deepfake abuse, and enhance consumer protection. They require prominent and persistent labeling of AI-generated digital humans to avoid misleading the public. The document addresses issues such as false personas, deceptive content, and manipulative marketing tactics, and introduces a “consumer protection handbook” to guide safer online shopping. The policy reflects Zhejiang’s broader digital economy strategy and has become a model for managing the growing intersection of AI technology and commercial livestreaming in China.
The provincial capital Hangzhou has emerged as a major hub for digital human innovation in China, with extensive integration of AI-generated virtual humans across news, government services, healthcare, education, entertainment, and live streaming. The local broadcaster Hangzhou News Network now uses AI news anchors with near-realistic appearance and zero-error performance, including full-program digital hosts. The city has launched AI-driven virtual humans like “Yibao’er” for medical insurance consultations and “Hang Xiaoyi” for cultural tourism guidance. Hangzhou also hosted the world’s first digital human torch relay at the 2023 Asian Games. Numerous companies, including Xmov, Image Derivative, Monster AI, and Yiwise, offer customized 2D/3D digital humans for commercial use. The city has seen the country’s first legal cases involving virtual human copyright infringement, sparking debates over IP rights.
See also:
[Aug 2025]
2025
- May 18, 2025: Academic paper published examining virtual influencer Liu Ye Xi’s impact on art and reality through virtual technology.
- May 6, 2025: Longgang city officially debuted AI news anchor “Long Xiaolu” on the “Longgang News” television program, modeled after real anchor Fang Lulu.
- April 21, 2025: Long Xiaolu AI anchor launched on Longgang News program (referenced in May 6 post).
- March 30, 2025: Ideal Technology showcased their customizable AI digital human solutions for businesses including virtual employees and customer service systems.
- March 24, 2025: Manchester Metropolitan University partnered with Style3D (headquartered in Hangzhou) to launch Styleverse at Manchester Fashion Institute, providing AI-powered 3D design software with life-sized avatars.
- February 28, 2025: Pairui Weihang (subsidiary of Zhejiang Wenhulian) partnered with Tencent Ads to develop 16 digital human advertising avatars for AI-driven marketing and e-commerce livestreaming.
- February 17, 2025: Zhejiang Satellite TV’s virtual host Gu Xiaoyu received DeepSeek AI upgrade, enhancing her capabilities in understanding and emotional simulation for promoting Song Dynasty culture.
- January 20, 2025: Zhejiang Fengwo IoT Technology Co., Ltd. filed a patent for an integrated method and system for constructing digital human persona, appearance, voice, and life trajectory.
- January 5, 2025: China Postal Consumer Finance Co., Ltd. launched digital human employee “You Xiaobao,” co-developed with Zhejiang University, for various financial service scenarios.
2024
- December 26, 2024: Researchers from Zhejiang University of Technology published a study on integrating AIGC technologies for commercial digital human video creation, focusing on applications from “Gu Xiaoyu” to Alibaba’s AYAYI.
- December 21, 2024: Zhejiang Wenhu Internet’s “Paizhi” digital humans demonstrated significant commercial impact across industries through motion capture technology creating realistic digital performers.
- December 18, 2024: Zhejiang Satellite TV’s digital human studio introduced “Xiaoyu Knows,” an AI-powered holographic interactive device featuring virtual human Gu Xiaoyu at the 2024 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen.
- December 4, 2024: Sun Baigui, a Zhejiang University graduate and former Alibaba AI expert, presented FaceChain technology for advanced digital human development at GOSIM CHINA 2024.
- November 25, 2024: Research from Lishui Vocational & Technical College in Zhejiang concluded that anthropomorphic features of virtual avatars significantly enhance online learning effectiveness.
- November 21, 2024: Xiaoyu, a digital human in traditional Song Dynasty attire, was showcased as an AI-powered holographic interactive assistant capable of reciting classical poetry.
- October 23, 2024: The 30th China Yiwu International Commodities Fair featured “Xiaoshuang,” a digital human launched by Yiwu International Trade City to assist global buyers with navigation and market guidance.
- October 13, 2024: Multiple Zhejiang initiatives were highlighted including AI digital humans for large display interaction and cultural heritage preservation applications.
- September 29, 2024: Zhejiang issued new regulations addressing AI digital humans in live streaming, requiring clear labels and banning unauthorized celebrity voice/image use.
- September 29, 2024: Documentation of 2024 China Digital Human Application Scenarios included Zhejiang 12345 Citizen Hotline Digital Human as a smart customer service solution.
- September 25, 2024: The First China Digital Human Conference was held in Beijing with significant participation from Zhejiang-based companies and researchers.
- September 24, 2024: Virtual human influencer research from Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art examined parasocial interactions with consumers in China’s live streaming commerce.
- September 18, 2024: Archive documentation listed major digital human companies in Hangzhou including Ranmai Technology (creators of AYAYI) and Hangzhou Youchain Times Technology.
- September 6, 2024: Bytedance collaborated with Zhejiang University to develop “Loopy,” an AI model creating lifelike animated portraits from audio input alone.
- August 20, 2024: Shanghai Securities introduced a digital human employee, though this appears to reference Shanghai rather than Zhejiang specifically.
- August 14, 2024: New Oriental Education & Technology Group expanded into digital human technology for education, including AI-powered digital teachers.
- July 19, 2024: Shanghai Museum’s Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition featured China’s first museum digital human AI guide, though this references Shanghai rather than Zhejiang.
- July 16, 2024: Nine volunteer students from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University used digital character “AI Sisi” to teach intangible cultural heritage at Qianlu Primary School.
- July 6, 2024: Zhejiang University researchers published findings on AI bot identity disclosure effects on social media engagement.
- June 19, 2024: Haihuman Technology’s CEO Liu Gang led development of highly realistic and personalized AI virtual humans with real-time interaction capabilities.
- May 11, 2024: The Qufu Three Confucius Sites scenic area launched an “AI tour guide” function as part of expanding digital human applications across China.
- May 3, 2024: Dong Zilong at Alibaba’s Tongyi Laboratory in Hangzhou worked on 3D digital humans and XR algorithms as an algorithm scientist.
- March 13, 2024: Alibaba Group collaborated with Zhejiang University and other institutions to develop “FaceChain-ImagineID” framework for creating diverse talking faces from audio.
- March 2, 2024: Analysis discussed integration of digital humans with cultural transmission, highlighting successful use at the 14th National Winter Sports Games.
- February 27, 2024: Tencent’s “Tan Yuan Project” launched at Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple featuring digital IP ambassador “Yun Zhuo” and virtual Silk Road costume interactions.
- February 22, 2024: Qianxun (Hangzhou) Culture Media Co., Ltd. emerged as a significant player in digital humans, pivoting from traditional live broadcasting to digital person technology.
- January 6, 2024: Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics introduced a digital human “Teacher Yao” created by retired professor Yao Jianrong for E-Commerce course instruction.
2023
- December 17, 2023: “Hang Xiao Yi,” a virtual digital character created using AI and VR technologies, was featured in the “Discover Hangzhou” mini-program, telling the story of the historic “Da Ma Nong” district while dressed in a qipao and holding a paper umbrella.
- December 6, 2023: Chinagoods AI Smart Service Platform introduced new AI technology in Yiwu that enables local business owners to interact with foreign traders in 36 languages and translate short videos into multiple languages including English, Arabic, and Spanish.
- November 25, 2023: The second Global Digital Trade Expo was held in Hangzhou from November 23-27, showcasing “AI digital humans” across various industries with over a thousand digital trade companies participating.
- November 24, 2023: Yizhi Intelligent Technology (founded in 2017 in Hangzhou) showcased digital avatars at the Global Digital Trade Expo that were indistinguishable from real humans, engaging in live selling and health education activities.
- November 18, 2023: “Anzhen’er,” a digital health assistant, was launched to enhance patient care in Chinese hospitals, addressing medical resource shortages and serving the aging population.
- November 11, 2023: Xiangxin Technology‘s AI-driven digital human guides were featured at the 2023 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang, offering 24/7 services for e-commerce and news broadcasting scenarios.
- October 12, 2023: Professor Zhou Xinyue from Zhejiang University published research on virtual digital humans in consumer marketing in collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
- September 13, 2023: Faceunity Digital Humans served as “digital narrators” for the Hangzhou exhibition area at the 20th anniversary celebration of the “Eight-Eight Strategy” at the Zhejiang Exhibition Hall.
- September 10, 2023: Zhejiang’s Public Security Department introduced two AI virtual “digital police” anchors named Zhe Xiaohe and Zhe Xiaoan who shared traffic updates and anti-fraud knowledge, achieving billions of views within a day.
- August 15, 2023: Xiangxin Technology (Faceunity) continued developing their “virtual digital human engine” specializing in AR video effects and computer graphics integrated with AI for Generation Z audiences.
- August 9, 2023: China Telecom introduced “Xinyi,” a new generation hyper-realistic digital human, during their 2023 mid-term results presentation, where it hosted the entire performance and Q&A interaction.
- July 25, 2023: Furen Intelligence continued operating as a technology firm blending AI and computer graphics to create virtual humans and metaverse applications with their HAI-Avatar cloud engine and PTA avatar system.
- July 13, 2023: Data from Tianyancha showed over 687,000 existing businesses related to “digital humans” in China, with over 106,000 new registrations in the first half of 2023.
- June 27, 2023: Zhongyin Fashion and Yaowang Technology launched a digital ecological industrial base in Wenzhou, with New Changyuan introducing real-time driven 3D digital human technology for live e-commerce.
- May 24, 2023: Leading livestreamer Viya’s company established a joint venture with Silicon-based Technology, supported by Douyin, to venture into the digital human livestreaming market.
- April 20, 2023: The Zhejiang Provincial Government Office issued “Several Measures on Further Expanding Consumption and Promoting High-quality Development” to support virtual human hosts, metaverse development, and e-commerce live streaming.
2022
- December 11, 2022: Shandong Radio and Television Station initiated the establishment of “Shandong Radio and Television Metaverse Innovation Laboratory” in collaboration with Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University to create product development combining production, learning and research resources.
- November 13, 2022: Wuzhen Summit featured a “Smart Experience Station” at the 2022 World Internet Conference focusing on metaverse concepts and applications of technical forms such as naked-eye 3D mixed reality.
- September 1, 2022: Zhejiang exhibition area at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened in Beijing, set to amaze visitors with focused displays.
- August 13, 2022: Virtual Digital Human TOP50 Ranking (Phase 2) was published, highlighting virtual digital humans as one of the hottest tracks in the domestic metaverse category.
- July 14, 2022: 2022 virtual digital human business value potential TOP50 ranking was released, featuring companies like Baidu’s Du Xiaoxiao, burning wheat technology’s AYAYI, and others.
- July 11, 2022: Pingzhi Information (300571.SZ) signed a virtual digital human cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Mobile to open post-paid model of virtual digital human business and cultivate the market.
- June 24, 2022: Xiangxin Technology launched the 3.0 version of “virtual live broadcast with goods” amid the strong rise of brand self-broadcasting during the 618 shopping festival.
- May 18, 2022: Tang De Film and Television (300426) planned to develop virtual human IP derivatives and actively deploy virtual human business while paying attention to emerging technologies like Metaverse and NFT.
- April 16, 2022: Wangda Software (603189.SH) confirmed its commitment to AI scene-based capability construction and digital-intelligence products including digital virtual humans.
- March 16, 2022: Discussion of Torsi-style “virtual human” with “soul” empowerment and continuous operation emerged following the success of virtual technologies at the Beijing Winter Olympics.