Some argue that for directors, only celebrities’ faces have recognition value, while everyday faces can simply be generated by AI
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenZoey ZhangPublished: 6:02pm, 19 Sep 2026In China, an increasing number of digital face-licensing platforms are connecting ordinary individuals with content creators, enabling them to authorise the use of their likenesses in AI-generated short dramas, advertisements, and games.
Since April, private “face-selling” transactions that once circulated within film and television industry chat groups have progressively transitioned to public platforms.
One bank employee reportedly earned nearly 2,500 yuan (US$370) after an advertising company acquired his portrait seven times within just three days, as reported by the National Business Daily.
Among the leading platforms, Shenzhen-based Yuanxiang Xinsheng, launched in May, allows users to create “digital actor profiles” following registration and identity verification.
