China’s state media has issued a warning over AI-generated content platforms like iQIYI’s Nadou Pro, urging cultural industries to uphold human and legal boundaries amid a controversy over performer likeness rights and consent.
China’s state media has weighed into the row over iQIYI’s so-called AI artist library, warning that entertainment companies cannot let technological ambition override human and legal limits. The Economic Daily said the controversy should serve as a reminder that cultural products are not ordinary commodities and that any use of real people’s data in artificial intelligence projects must rest on clear authorisation and firm boundaries.
The dispute erupted after iQIYI unveiled Nadou Pro, a platform linked to AI-generated film and television production. According to reports from Technode, China Daily and other outlets, more than 100 performers were said to have signed up, but several well-known actors, including Zhang Ruoyun, Wang Churan, Li Yitong and Yu Hewei, publicly denied giving permission for their likenesses to be used, fuelling online scepticism and confusion.
iQIYI later said the system was meant as a matchmaking tool for creators using AI-generated content and performers, with any actual collaboration requiring separate discussion and confirmation. That clarification did little to calm the debate, with criticism focusing on whether the platform could normalise the use of human images in a way that blurred consent and control.
In its commentary, the Economic Daily argued that AI should remain a tool rather than a substitute for core creative work. It said technology can be used to cut costs and improve efficiency in tasks such as restoration, editing and post-production, but that writing, acting and directing must remain in human hands. The newspaper added that cultural creation depends on real experience and emotion, and that the industry must think not only about profit, but also about the public trust on which it relies.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article references a recent controversy involving iQIYI’s AI Artist Library, with reports from April 21, 2026, indicating that the narrative is current. However, the earliest known publication date of similar content is April 20, 2026, suggesting that the news has been circulating for at least six days. This slight delay may affect the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from the Economic Daily, but no online matches were found for these specific quotes. This raises concerns about the verifiability of the quotes. The lack of independent verification sources further diminishes the credibility of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article cites the Economic Daily, a state-run media outlet, which may have potential biases. Additionally, the article appears to be summarising or aggregating content from other sources, including a press release from iQIYI. This raises concerns about the independence and originality of the content.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about the controversy over iQIYI’s AI Artist Library align with reports from other reputable outlets, such as TechNode and GMA News Online. However, the lack of supporting details from independent sources and the absence of specific factual anchors (e.g., names, institutions, dates) in the article raise questions about its authenticity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents a recent controversy involving iQIYI’s AI Artist Library, but it relies heavily on a press release from iQIYI and a state-run media outlet, with no independent verification sources cited. The lack of verifiable quotes and supporting details from independent sources diminishes the credibility of the content. Therefore, the overall assessment is a FAIL with MEDIUM confidence.
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