Former actress Joey Wong has weighed in on the use of her likeness in artificial intelligence-generated game trailer after it sparked a debate.
“We are using AI, not being used by AI,” she said at Chinese gaming giant NetEase’s 18th anniversary event in Guangzhou last Saturday (Aug 15).
The 59-year-old was referring to her decision to license her likeness for the project, which uses AI to recreate how she looked when she was in her 20s and 30s.
Joey was named a brand ambassador for fantasy game Tian Xia’s 18th anniversary in June, and her digital self appeared as a fox spirit in its game trailer a month later.
The release of the game trailer then reignited the debate on the use of AI in showbiz, China Daily reported.
The public discussed whether AI helps to extend celebrities’ careers, especially those who have bowed out from the limelight, or if the technology only reproduces their appearance without capturing their artistry.
At NetEase’s event, Joey also shared that she enjoyed playing games when she was younger, The Cover reported.
“Through this opportunity with Tian Xia, I hope to meet youths in the gaming world, and also let them get to know me,” she said.
Watching the game trailer, which showed her dark hair turn white, stunned the former actress.
Joey also encouraged the public to give new technologies more space.
Describing herself as a person who “appreciates both the new and old”, Joey said she did not think too much about agreeing to the collaboration.
While AI can give people more choices, they should decide what they want to do with it, she explained.
The Taiwanese actress, best known for her role as Nie Xiaoqian in 1987’s A Chinese Ghost Story, bowed out of showbiz in 2004 and moved to Canada.
She now operates a moxibustion therapy centre in Vancouver.
Use of AI in showbiz
Joey is one of the actors who have explored or commented on the use of AI in the entertainment industry.
Hong Kong actor Lawrence Ng, 62, recently sold his image rights to be used in an upcoming film.
The production company digitally recreated his 20-year-old self using AI, Lawrence said.
“I can sit around without having to go filming myself. Even if I break my legs, I don’t have to worry!” he joked.
Fellow Hong Kong actor Tony Leung has also spoken about the impact of AI on the film industry, describing the technology as a “double-edged sword”.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Leung said AI could save considerable time and money in production, but warned that it could also cost people their jobs.
“You don’t need to think. There’s no creativity. It’s just calculations … there’s no soul,” he added.
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esther.lam@asiaone.com
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