Esther Yu’s Face and Voice Allegedly Cloned by AI Short Drama, Studio Vows Zero Tolerance

Beijing, July 28 — As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly common in China's short-form drama industry, concerns over image and voice rights are also growing. Actress Esther Yu (Yu Shuxin) has become the latest celebrity allegedly targeted by AI-generated content that copied her appearance and voice without permission.

On July 27, Esther Yu's studio issued a formal statement stressing that she has never participated in the production or recording of any AI-generated content, nor has she authorised any individual or organisation to use her likeness, voice or image for AI creation.

The studio said some AI-generated works had illegally replicated Esther Yu's facial features and voice through advanced technology, describing the practice as a serious violation of her portrait rights, voice rights and other lawful interests.

According to the statement, all AI short dramas, AI comics and other AI-generated content currently circulating online featuring Esther Yu were created without authorisation and constitute copyright and personality rights infringement.

The studio added that it has begun collecting evidence and demanded that content creators and online platforms immediately remove the infringing materials. It warned that legal action would be taken against any party that refuses to comply.