**The Digital Human Industry in China: The Imperative of Technological Innovation and Regulatory Support **
The development of the digital human industry is at a pivotal juncture. Many regions across the nation have introduced development plans and policy measures for the industry. The “14th Five-Year Plan” has highlighted virtual reality technology as a key industry in the digital economy, providing a clear direction for its development and accelerating the practical applications of virtual humans. The application scenarios of the digital human industry are continuously expanding, especially in fields such as film, gaming, e-commerce, finance, education, healthcare, and cultural tourism. A large number of virtual humans are now employed across various sectors and roles, marking a growing trend.
Data from “Xiaokang” magazine indicates that in 2022, there were over 240,000 companies related to digital humans in China, with a market size of 1.464 trillion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 57%. It’s estimated that by 2025, the number of such enterprises will surpass 400,000, with a market size of 2.6 trillion yuan, and by 2030, the overall market size for virtual digital humans will reach 2.7 trillion yuan. With the evident prospects of the industry, there’s a surge in capital investments. In 2020, 1,713 financing events related to virtual humans took place, totaling 2.301 trillion yuan; in 2021, this number increased to 2,843, with a financing amount of 2.54 trillion yuan. From an investment perspective, most venture capital focuses on the application side of the digital human industry chain, such as virtual anchors and virtual idols.
Any technological revolution will have significant impacts on the economy, industry, and employment structures. The growth of the digital human industry can improve societal efficiency and reduce overall operational costs, but it can also prompt changes in employment structures. Such changes necessitate an adjustment in talent training direction. The progress of digital human technology requires skilled professionals. Higher education and vocational training should provide strong human resources to ensure the sustainable development of the digital human industry.
The advancement of the digital human industry requires coordinated growth in intellectual property protection, legal regulation, technological innovation, and more. Technology often outpaces the law. This discrepancy between rapid technological progress and relatively stable legal development creates certain contradictions. Resolving this requires lawmakers and implementers to provide appropriate responses based on new industry characteristics. Without technological innovation, the digital human industry cannot continue to grow. Similarly, without regulatory safeguards, its development can’t be healthy. Therefore, the sustained and healthy growth of the digital human industry requires both technological innovation and regulatory support.
**14th Five-Year Plan (2021â??2025):**
* The 14th Five-Year Plan was drafted during the fifth plenum of the 19th Central Committee held from 26 to 29 October 2020.
* Virtual reality technology highlighted as a key industry in the digital economy.
* Expanding use of digital humans in film, gaming, e-commerce, finance, education, healthcare, and cultural tourism.
**2020 Financing:**
* 1,713 financing events related to virtual humans.
* Total of $322.14 billion (2.301 trillion yuan * 0.14).
**2021 Stats:**
* Over 240,000 companies related to digital humans in China.
* Market size of $204.96 billion (1.464 trillion yuan * 0.14).
* Year-on-year growth of 57%.
* 2,843 financing events.
* Total amount of $355.6 billion (2.54 trillion yuan * 0.14).
**2025 Projections (Within the duration of the 14th Five-Year Plan):**
* Over 400,000 companies related to digital humans.
* Expected market size of $364 billion (2.6 trillion yuan * 0.14).
**2030 Projection:**
* Overall market size for virtual digital humans to reach $378 billion (2.7 trillion yuan * 0.14).
https://www.sohu.com/a/717380081_426502