The virtual employee market is doing well in China. In recent years, Chinese companies and administrations have no longer hesitated to use the services of virtual agents. A sector in full expansion in recent months, according to several industry experts relayed by CNBC.
Virtual muses
Internet juggernaut Baidu is at the forefront of virtual characters. The company claims to have doubled the number of orders for digital avatars since 2021. To afford the services of a flesh-and-blood agent, companies are offered a price range of between $2,800 to $14,300 per year. At this price, the company obtains an artificial intelligence animated in 2D or 3D capable of speaking or even singing.
Customers include financial services companies, local tourist offices and state media, said Li Shiyan, sector director “virtual and robotic people” from Baidu. Many Chinese brands are turning to virtual muses to avoid the bad buzz sometimes generated by very real celebrities. A way to protect yourself from inappropriate comments or behavioral deviations that could tarnish the company’s reputation. According to a Kantar poll, 45% of advertisers in the Middle Kingdom are in favor of the idea of sponsoring a virtual character or inviting them to an event.
Concerts with e-singers
Even more dystopian, civil society seems (too) to have adopted virtual characters. The Chinese internet is said to be teeming with all-digital influencers who can dance, sing and interact with audiences at concerts. This is the case of the e-artist Luo Tianyi, a Vocaloid developed by Yamaha Corporation and recently acquired by Bilibili, a company specializing in streaming. Its texture and voice were improved last year using artificial intelligence.
Luo Tianyi is said to have over 3 million fans and has performed multiple times in concert in front of thousands of people. A true digital idol who is not alone. According to Bilibili, no less than 230,000 virtual characters have appeared on the site since 2019. A real explosion of the concept which results in an increase of more than 200% in the broadcasting time of these 3.0 influencers. A phenomenon that remains, for the time being, limited to Asia.