 |
| Chinese Star Tan Jianci Targets AI Infringement After Fake Drama Clips Surface. (Credits: Sohu/Weibo) |
Chinese actor Tan Jianci is preparing to take legal action after his likeness was allegedly used without consent in AI-generated short dramas, according to an official studio statement released on 8 April.
The case lands at a time when the entertainment industry is grappling with how far artificial intelligence can go before it crosses into clear violations of personal rights.
The statement from Tan Jianci’s management team makes it plain: multiple online platforms are suspected of using elements of the actor’s identity, including his face, name and voice, to train AI systems and produce digital content without written authorisation.
The studio argues that such use constitutes a direct infringement of personality rights and breaches existing legal protections around image rights and personal data.
Citing provisions under China’s Civil Code and regulations governing generative AI services, the studio stressed that technology providers are required to respect lawful rights and must not exploit an individual’s identity for data training or content creation.
In this case, the alleged misuse extends beyond simple imitation, pointing instead to systematic data usage that enabled AI-generated productions featuring a digital version of the actor.
The response from Tan Jianci’s team has been firm and immediate.
Platforms involved have been urged to conduct full internal investigations and remove all related AI-generated materials across databases and distribution channels.
The studio has also called for long-term preventative measures, including keyword blocking and technical restrictions, to ensure that the actor’s identity cannot be reused or replicated in future AI outputs.
Beyond takedowns, the statement confirms that legal proceedings are being actively considered against those responsible.
 |
| Tan Jianci Studio Issues Warning as AI Content Using His Image Spreads Online. (Weibo) |
This is not unfamiliar territory for Tan Jianci, who has previously filed lawsuits over online infringement and reputation disputes, with several cases already brought before courts in 2025.
The latest development suggests a continuation of that hardline stance, now extended into the fast-evolving AI space.
Public reaction has been mixed but engaged. Some fans have rallied behind the actor, arguing that the line between innovation and exploitation has been crossed too easily, especially when commercial content is involved.
Others, particularly within tech-focused circles, have pointed out the complexity of regulating AI training data, questioning where responsibility should ultimately fall.
What is clear is that the debate is no longer theoretical; it is unfolding in real time, with real consequences for public figures.
For many observers, the situation reflects a broader shift. AI-generated short dramas have surged in popularity for their speed and low production costs, but cases like this expose the underlying risks.
The ability to replicate a person’s identity convincingly has outpaced the systems designed to protect it, leaving gaps that are only now being tested in legal settings.
There is also a quieter, more personal angle that has resonated with audiences.
One fan commented on social media that seeing a familiar face appear in content they knew the actor never filmed felt “uncanny rather than impressive”.
That sense of unease captures the tension at the heart of the issue: admiration for technology, paired with discomfort over its reach.
Another viewer shared a similar sentiment, recalling how they initially believed the AI-generated clips were legitimate promotional material before learning otherwise.
That moment of confusion, they said, made them question how easily reality can be blurred.
As this case develops, it is likely to push both regulators and platforms to act faster, but it also invites readers to weigh in: where should the boundary sit between creativity and consent, and who should be held accountable when it is crossed?