"Even My Mother Couldn't Recognize Me... Outrage Over 'AI Fake Ads' Made for Just 20,000 Won"

Voice, Expressions, and Lip Movements Nearly Identical
Almost Impossible to Tell from the Real Thing
Lawsuits Recently Filed by Top Chinese Celebrities

Fake advertisement videos of famous celebrities created using artificial intelligence (AI) technology are causing ongoing controversy in China. Consumers have been purchasing products after watching videos featuring famous celebrities promoting these products, only to discover that all of these ads were manipulated and generated using AI. In particular, it has been reported that the voices, facial expressions, and even lip movements are so identical to the actual celebrities that it is very difficult for consumers to distinguish between what is real and what is fake.

According to local Chinese media Daxiang News on July 3, citing a survey by China News Network’s People’s Life Research Institute, promotional videos featuring AI-generated versions of famous celebrities can be produced and sold on e-commerce platforms for 70 to 100 yuan (approximately 16,000 to 22,000 won), while voices can be cloned and used for as little as 1.98 yuan (about 450 won). The manipulation is so sophisticated that it is almost indistinguishable from reality, leading not only to severe damage to real celebrities' reputations but also to significant consumer fraud.

Fake advertisement videos of famous celebrities created using artificial intelligence (AI) technology are causing ongoing controversy in China. AI-generated images.

Video for 70 Yuan... Voice Cloned for Just 1.98 Yuan

Recently, a popular Chinese actor vented his frustration on social media, stating, "The fake AI video circulating online is so realistic that even my mother could not recognize it. It is terrifying."

The method for inserting a famous celebrity’s face and voice into an AI-generated fake video is simple. All that is needed are a few photos and a brief description. Daxiang News reported, "A search for the keyword 'AI video production' on secondhand trading platforms revealed numerous companies offering customized AI-generated character videos," adding, "Most sellers were aware of the legal risks but still proceeded with custom production." The report continued, "We selected three companies, paid 230 yuan (about 52,000 won), provided photos and a 100-word message, and had celebrity videos created—although, in reality, traces of AI generation were still apparent."

The threshold for companies offering voice cloning is even lower. Services that turn a famous celebrity’s voice into an AI-generated video start at just 1.98 yuan and can be completed in as little as 40 seconds. Having the AI read a script of less than 500 characters costs less than 10 yuan (about 2,200 won), and the synchronization rate is said to reach 98%. Providers advertise that a 10-second clip of a famous celebrity’s voice can be cloned permanently and played any time on a mobile phone or computer. However, unlike video production companies, voice cloning service providers generally do not mention legal risks such as illegal commercial use.

Top Stars File Lawsuits... Legal Experts Say "Clear Violation of Portrait Rights"

Fake advertisement videos of famous celebrities created with artificial intelligence (AI) technology are causing controversies one after another in China. Photo to aid understanding of the article. Pixels.

Recently, representatives of the popular Chinese actress Yang Mi revealed that she had won a lawsuit concerning AI voice copyright infringement. The attorney explained that the defendant had used the plaintiff's image without permission and synthesized a voice using AI technology that was extremely similar to the plaintiff’s tone, intonation, and pronunciation, then uploaded the video to their own account. After reviewing the case, the court found that the defendant used AI technology to synthesize the voice, combined it with the plaintiff’s image to create a video, and then distributed and promoted it for commercial purposes, effectively misappropriating the plaintiff's name for business activities. The court ruled that the defendant’s actions infringed upon both the plaintiff's portrait rights and voice rights. Recently, similar cases have been occurring in China in other fields as well, such as AI-generated short dramas and AI music, where celebrities' copyrights are being violated.

Rui, a lawyer at Shanghai Jiuzhe Law Firm, explained that companies that clone a celebrity’s voice or produce promotional videos without permission using AI may be liable for copyright infringement and false advertising. The lawyer emphasized that regardless of whether AI generation technology is used, "what matters is whether the fake video infringes on another person's legitimate rights and interests or misleads consumers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.