Anhui Digital Human Timeline

Notes:

Anhui has become a prominent hub for digital human development and application in China, with wide-ranging initiatives across government, education, and industry. Multiple companies such as Anhui Hip Hop Intelligent Technology, Yunban Digital Technology, and Anhui Fuliangxing Digital Technology are engaged in producing 2D/3D digital humans for virtual identities, live streaming, and AI-driven services. The province has introduced AI digital human customer service in sectors like housing and social security, such as the launch of “Ma Xiaojing” in the housing fund system. Educational institutions including Anhui University and Anhui Arts Institute are deeply involved in research and competitions focused on digital humans, often incorporating them into AI and media design curricula. Patents and technical advances from local firms support innovation, including solutions for complex interactive environments and background management in livestreaming. Provincial initiatives such as the “Digital Economy Talent Cultivation Program (2024–2027)” aim to build a strong digital workforce, while local governments use digital humans in public services, museums, and media communication.

The provincial capital Hefei has become a major hub for digital human innovation in China, with numerous companies, universities, and government entities developing and deploying AI-driven virtual humans across sectors. Highlights include the release of 52 digital truck driver personas, the creation of highly human-like avatars from a single photo, and the launch of emotional digital humans with real-time feedback capabilities. Local firms like iFlytek, Xinming Intelligent, and AiDa Jiyuan are driving advances in 3D modeling, multimodal generation, and embodied intelligence, while institutions such as the Hefei Institute of Artificial Intelligence and University of Science and Technology of China are contributing research and patents. Hefei is also integrating digital humans into public services—such as virtual assistants for government inquiries and sign language avatars for accessibility—and into cultural, educational, and commercial applications, including AI news anchors, legal assistants, and personalized avatars for entrepreneurs.

iFLYTEK Co., Ltd., founded in 1999 and headquartered in Hefei, Anhui Province, is a leading publicly listed company in the Asia-Pacific region specializing in intelligent speech and artificial intelligence technologies. Its chairman and founder is Liu Qingfeng. The company focuses on AI research and development, including speech recognition, natural language processing, and computer vision, and has developed products such as AI learning machines, translation devices, and smart office systems. iFLYTEK plays a major role in China’s AI industry, operating from its expansive AI headquarters park in Hefei High-Tech Zone, which also includes its voice industry base and R&D facilities. The company is actively involved in strategic partnerships with universities, government agencies, and enterprises to advance AI applications in education, healthcare, and public services. It is also behind the Spark large language model, which has undergone several upgrades and forms part of Hefei’s broader strategy to become a national AI innovation hub.