A 'Chinese Ghost Story' star Joey Wong ‘returns’: AI doubles of veteran performers spark debate
Veteran actress Joey Wong has licensed her digital likeness for an AI-generated game trailer, sparking debate about the ethics of using AI to recreate performers. While some see it as a new creative avenue, others question the preservation of artistic integrity.
Why it matters
The use of AI digital doubles raises significant legal and ethical questions regarding actor rights and the future of the entertainment industry.
Veteran Taiwan actress Joey Wong’s decision to license her youthful likeness for an artificial intelligence-generated game trailer has reignited the debate on whether AI could extend the screen careers of actors or whether it merely reproduces their appearance without the artistry that made them famous.
The 87-second trailer, Qianying, was released on July 16 for the Tianxia online game series developed by Chinese gaming giant NetEase.
Produced entirely using artificial intelligence, rather than live-action filming, the trailer applies Wong’s authorised digital likeness to re-create the youthful screen image that made her one of Chinese-language cinema’s most recognisable stars.
Wong, who is best known for playing female protagonist Nie Xiaoqian in the fantasy romance A Chinese Ghost Story , retired from acting in 2004, and has stayed away from the big screen ever since. In June, she was named a brand ambassador for the game’s 18th anniversary.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in