Notes:
This webpage chronicles key milestones in the development and deployment of digital humans primarily in Shandong Province, China, from 2022 to 2025, highlighting their integration into fields such as healthcare, education, culture, politics, media, and tourism. It documents notable launches of AI-driven digital avatars, virtual hosts, digital doctors, and cultural ambassadors, including prominent figures like “Lu Yun,” “Li Qingzhao,” and “Good Luck,” often showcased at major events such as the Oriental Congress of Cardiology, Jinan Two Sessions, and national expos. The timeline also captures institutional involvement from universities, tech firms, law offices, and media outlets, alongside infrastructure developments like production platforms and patents. The entries collectively illustrate Shandong’s strategic and sustained investment in advancing digital human technology across sectors, reinforcing its emerging role as a national leader in this field.
The provincial capital Jinan has become a major hub for digital human development in China, with numerous applications, companies, and government initiatives driving innovation. One of the key players is Shandong Digihuman Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2002 and headquartered in Jinan High-Tech Zone, which became Jinan’s first company listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange. The company specializes in high-resolution digital human systems for medical education, virtual anatomy, and AI broadcasting. Across the city, AI digital humans are widely used in government services, media, livestreaming, recruitment, and public utilities—appearing as virtual anchors, service agents, or training assistants. Notable examples include AI hosts like “Xiaoqiao” and “Haizhi,” interactive service kiosks in administrative centers, and AI presenters in cultural events and digital exhibitions. Jinan’s public and private sectors have actively promoted the integration of digital humans with cloud computing, big data, and virtual reality, supporting applications ranging from smart city management to immersive education and AI-driven customer service. The region is also home to national projects such as AI-enhanced smart water plants and China’s first mass-produced high-resolution virtual anatomy table.
See also:
[Aug 2025]
2025
- May 30, 2025: Professor Ge Junbo from Fudan University’s Zhongshan Hospital unveiled his AI-powered digital avatar with Shandong-accented speech at the 19th Oriental Congress of Cardiology in Shanghai.
- January 19, 2025: The 3D digital human host “Lu Yun” co-hosted the 2025 Jinan Two Sessions, marking the first instance of a digital human co-hosting a major political event.
- January 27, 2025: Shandong launched its first digital human doctor integrating Dr. Jiang’s medical knowledge with advanced AI technology on the Health Shandong Cloud Platform.
- January 10, 2025: Shandong Electronics Vocational College unveiled two digital humans, “Xiao Shan” and “Xiao Dian,” at their “Flash” Digital Human Launch and AIGC Cultural Innovation Exhibition.
2024
- December 16, 2024: “Luyun” the Qilu Digital Culture Ambassador debuted through a holographic installation at the third Jinan International Biennale opening.
- December 11, 2024: DeHeng Law Offices and Shandong DeHeng Law Firm launched an “AI Virtual Digital Human Program” for legal marketing and education.
- December 8, 2024: The “Good Luck Shandong” digital human named “Good Luck” was unveiled during the 2024 Shandong Marathon City League Awards Ceremony.
- December 2, 2024: Shandong’s first digital cultural ambassadors, “Qifeng” and “Luyun,” made their debut at the “Deep Reform in Shandong” research tour in Jinan.
- November 10, 2024: Students from Shandong Media Vocational College interacted with “Hailan,” an AI digital host from Shandong Radio and Television.
- October 31, 2024: Haikan Network Technology (Shandong) Co., Ltd. received a patent for a “method and system for generating 3D digital human animation.”
- October 12, 2024: Shandong University of Art & Design achieved two second prizes, one third prize in the first Education Digital Human Competition in Beijing.
- October 11, 2024: China’s Shandong Province emerged as a significant player in digital human technology implementation across multiple sectors including healthcare.
- October 1, 2024: Shandong Dazhong Information Industry Co Ltd. launched the upgraded Haiying Digital Human Intelligent Production Platform 2.0.
- August 11, 2024: Shandong Radio and Television Metaverse and AI Innovation Lab introduced digital human “Ya Ru” as a virtual representative of Dezhou’s red culture.
- July 28, 2024: AI-driven digital human “Li Qingzhao,” designed by DCG Digital Group, attracted attention at the 32nd National Book Trade Fair in Jinan.
- May 11, 2024: The Qufu Three Confucius Sites scenic area launched an “AI tour guide” function with digital human navigation capabilities.
2023
- September 9, 2023: Digital humans like “Xu Anyi” and “Liu Yexi” gained popularity at the 2023 China International Digital Economy Expo, with Shandong University’s Digital Human Research highlighted.
- July 13, 2023: Data from Tianyancha showed over 687,000 existing businesses related to “digital humans” in China, with over 106,000 registered in the first half of 2023.
- June 27, 2023: Zhou Hongyi, founder of 360, demonstrated “digital employees” at the World Internet Conference Digital Civilization Nishan Dialogue in Shandong.
- April 9, 2023: The virtual digital human recommendation officer “Xianyi” was launched at the 2023 Qingdao Film and Television Week in Qingdao West Coast New District.
2022
- December 11, 2022: Shandong Radio and Television Station initiated the establishment of “Shandong Radio and Television Metaverse Innovation Laboratory” with Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University.
- November 25, 2022: The Internet Society of China’s “Digital Human Boutique Show” appeared at the iDWF Mutual Expo “Metaverse Starlight Ceremony.”
- September 30, 2022: 45 companies gathered to showcase AI applications including customized virtual human avatars and intelligent sign language “translators.”
- September 20, 2022: Black technology “restored” Li Qingzhao’s real appearance using face recognition technology at the “Shandong Handmade” Exhibition and Experience Center.
- September 8, 2022: The “Wenbo Digital Live Room” built by Wenbo Circle and Fantuo Shuchuang featured digital human “Ban Zhao” at the 9th China Museum expo in Zhengzhou.
- July 24, 2022: Qingdao city recommendation official digital person “Qingdao Xiaoman” was officially launched, built by Shandong Jindong Digital Creative Co., Ltd.