iQIYI (爱奇艺) faces backlash after announcing AI artist database plan; stars deny authorization

Major performers say they did not sign off

iQIYI (爱奇艺) is facing a public relations headache after it has been reported that the streaming giant planned an "AI artist database" to support generative content. Several high‑profile actors — Zhang Ruoyun (张若昀), Wang Churan (王楚然) and Li Yitong (李一桐) among others — have reportedly denied authorizing the use of their likenesses or voices in the project. The denials spread quickly on Chinese social media, turning what the company framed as a technology initiative into a controversy about consent and commercial rights.

What's at stake — consent, contracts and creative control

Why the uproar? AI models trained on images, audio and video can create convincing synthetic performances. For performers and agents, that raises questions about who owns a digital replica, how royalties and credits are handled, and whether existing talent contracts cover synthetic use. It has been reported that some artists’ teams called the move unauthorized; iQIYI did not immediately publish a detailed public response. For an industry built on celebrity branding, even the suggestion of unconsented replication can quickly become a legal and reputational risk.

Broader context: China’s AI push and regulatory pressure

This episode sits at the intersection of China's fast‑moving AI ambitions and growing regulatory attention. Beijing has encouraged domestic AI development even as regulators tighten rules around content authenticity and personal data protection. Internationally, U.S. export controls on advanced chips and wider geopolitical tension mean Chinese platforms are under pressure to develop models and datasets at home. But can technological momentum outpace the legal and ethical frameworks that protect performers? That question now reverberates through China’s entertainment and tech sectors.

Next moves and implications

It has been reported that the furore is prompting closer scrutiny from talent agencies and legal advisers, and may force iQIYI to clarify consent mechanisms, revenue sharing and takedown processes. For Western observers, the episode offers an early glimpse of a global problem: how industries will reconcile generative AI opportunities with individual rights. Expect more disputes like this as media companies experiment with AI-driven production — and as regulators in China and abroad sharpen the rules.