A Chinese vlogger has sparked outrage among Chinese social media users by posting videos featuring the late Chinese American singer Coco Lee and Taiwanese Canadian actor Godfrey Gao, who were “resurrected” using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Key points:
- The videos, uploaded and later circulated on Chinese social media on Wednesday, show Coco Lee and Godfrey Gao addressing their viewers, with the late singer’s AI avatar telling her fans, “Through this video, I have the opportunity to be reunited with all of you. Since the moment I left this world, I have always been able to sense your endless love and support.”
- When questioned about infringing on the late celebrities’ rights, the vlogger reportedly claimed that what they did was not imitation but “an expression of love for Coco,” adding that the videos were AI generated and free.
The details:
- Lee died in Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, on July 5, 2023, after falling into a coma following a suicide attempt in her home. She was 48 years old.
- Meanwhile, Gao died while filming Zhejiang Television’s competitive sports reality show “Chase Me” on Nov. 27, 2019. Doctors suggested that the actor’s death could be the result of overwork and stress. He was 35 years old.
- The video sparked legal discussions about the usage of a deceased person’s likeness in an AI video, with one lawyer from China stating that the video infringed on Lee’s rights by incorporating the likeness of her image, voice, name and reputation. The lawyer added that relatives of the deceased could pursue legal remedies against the other party.
- Another lawyer pointed out that using someone’s likeness in a video could potentially constitute an infringement, whether the intention was for commercial purposes or not. In the case of Lee’s video, while the vlogger stated that the video was free, it could reportedly be argued that they used the video to attract business, as the people…
Read the full article here
Have a news tip for The Proud Asian? Submit your news tip or article here.
