Tony Leung Refuses AI Rights, Saying "AI Has No Soul"

Hong Kong cinema legend Tony Leung has taken a definitive stance against the growing trend of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. At a time when studios and streaming platforms are rushing to adopt AI to cut costs, the veteran actor has drawn a sharp line between technological efficiency and true artistic creation.

Here is a deep dive into Leung’s perspective, the ongoing industry controversies, and what this means for the future of cinema.

Tony Leung and Carina Lau. Photo: Xinhua

The "Soulless" Nature of AI in Film

During a media gathering on June 12 at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, Tony Leung—serving as the President of the Golden Goblet Awards Jury—spoke candidly about the impact of AI on the film industry.

While he is widely celebrated for his decades of nuanced performances, Leung approaches the topic of AI with a balanced but critical eye:

The Benefits of Efficiency: Leung acknowledged that AI can significantly enhance work efficiency. He noted that the technology can shorten both pre-production and post-production phases, ultimately saving considerable filmmaking costs.

• The Editing Example: To illustrate this, he pointed out that AI can complete a video edit in just 10 minutes. In stark contrast, a human editor might require an entire month to achieve a similar task.
• The Creativity Deficit: Despite these technical advantages, Leung criticized AI-generated content for lacking unique creativity. He stated that AI is limited to merely referencing pre-existing cinematic styles rather than inventing new ones.
• The Lack of Soul: Crucially, Leung believes that AI cannot replace the emotions and thoughts of human creators because "AI has no soul".

When asked directly if he would ever license his image for AI use, Leung's answer was an unequivocal "No".

To emphasize his point, he compared AI actors to artificial diamonds. He explained that while modern technology can create lab-grown diamonds that look identical to real ones, the physical sensation of holding a "cultivated diamond" versus a "natural diamond" remains entirely different. Even if AI technology achieves perfect visual realism, Leung argued that the audience's perception and emotional connection will fundamentally change, proving that actors are "not easily replaced".

The iQIYI "AI Artist Vault" Controversy

Leung’s steadfast refusal arrives amid intense debates within the Asian entertainment market regarding AI likeness rights. This tension was recently highlighted by mainland Chinese streaming giant iQIYI.

On April 20, iQIYI CEO Gong Yu announced the launch of an "AI Artist Vault".

• The Announcement: Gong Yu claimed that 117 artists had successfully granted their likeness rights to the platform, specifically naming actors like Chen Zheyuan, Zeng Shunxi, and Cheng Lei.
• The Backlash: The announcement was met with immediate resistance. Actors such as Zhang Ruoyun, Yu Hewei, and Wang Churan, along with their respective studios, quickly denied signing any AI licensing agreements. Legal teams even intervened, causing the public to strongly doubt the authenticity of iQIYI's 117-person list.
• Controversial Remarks: Gong Yu further fueled the debate by declaring the AI trend in the film industry "unstoppable". He controversially suggested that filming with real actors will become increasingly rare, potentially turning into an "intangible cultural heritage" in the future. He also argued that AI could reduce the intense workload actors face during long production shoots.

Financial Struggles Driving AI Adoption

Many industry observers view iQIYI's aggressive push toward AI not just as technological advancement, but as a necessary survival tactic to slash production costs amidst financial turmoil.

• According to public financial reports, iQIYI's total revenue for 2025 dropped to 27.29 billion RMB, representing a 7% year-over-year decrease.
• The company recorded a net loss of 206 million RMB for the year.
• All three of its primary business sectors—memberships, advertising, and content distribution—experienced negative growth.
• Furthermore, between 2018 and 2025, iQIYI's cumulative losses surpassed a staggering 30 billion RMB.

Following the severe public and professional backlash, iQIYI adjusted its narrative. The platform clarified that joining the "AI Artist Vault" merely indicated an artist's willingness to be approached for AI film projects, and that actual participation would require separate, individual negotiations and licensing agreements. For many artists, however, this corporate push for "liberating productive forces" feels like a threat that erases their subjectivity and creative essence. Critics argue that visuals entirely generated by AI will strip performances of human warmth, resulting in mere simulations that cannot replace the delicate expressions of real actors.

The Legend’s Perspective: A Cinephile in the Countryside

While the industry clashes over digital rights, Tony Leung remains grounded in reality and his love for traditional cinema.

Recently, his wife, Carina Lau, shared a heartwarming video on social media showing Leung happily picking chicken eggs in the countryside. When fans playfully commented that the legendary actor was living out their childhood dreams, Leung earnestly explained that he enjoys both acting and rural life. He revealed that city living eventually causes him significant stress, making it necessary for him to retreat to the countryside to rest.

When asked which task requires more patience—picking eggs or serving as a film festival juror—Leung unhesitatingly chose the latter, noting that a juror is obligated to watch every film in its entirety.

Even in his 60s, Leung remains a dedicated student of film:

• He maintains a strict habit of watching at least 3 to 4 movies every week.
• He continues to visit movie theaters to experience new releases on the big screen.

• Regarding the possibility that younger audiences might not be familiar with his classic works, Leung remains entirely unbothered. "I'm not worried," he stated. "If there are audiences who want to watch, they will naturally find it. I also have no way of notifying every single person that they absolutely must watch my movies".

A 40-Year Legacy That Cannot Be Replicated

Tony Leung's resistance to AI is deeply rooted in his status as the "shining jewel" of Hong Kong cinema, having spent 40 years mastering his craft. His unparalleled resume proves exactly why a digital replica could never capture his essence:

• Global Recognition: He was named one of the 25 greatest Asian actors by CNN and listed among the 50 most handsome men in the world by People magazine. He is also recognized as one of history's 100 outstanding figures.
• Cinematic Classics: He has starred in universally acclaimed masterpieces such as In the Mood for Love, Happy Together, Chungking Express, and Infernal Affairs.
• Major Awards: His performance in In the Mood for Love earned him the prestigious Best Actor award at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. More recently, in March 2023, he won Best Actor at the Asian Film Awards for his role in Where the Wind Blows.
• Lifetime Achievement: Cementing his global legacy, Leung is the first Chinese actor to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival.

For a man who has dedicated four decades to exploring the depths of human emotion on screen, the refusal to hand his likeness over to algorithms is more than a contractual dispute. It is a defense of the very soul of cinema.