- Luo Yonghao’s AI avatar earned $7.65 million in livestream sales—outperforming his real-life streams.
- Powered by Baidu’s AI and DeepSeek tools, digital humans mimic personalities and work nonstop.
- The trend signals a shift in livestreaming, e-commerce, and entertainment driven by AI avatars.
China’s livestream economy is entering a new era, with artificial intelligence avatars outperforming their human counterparts in both engagement and earnings.
The rise of AI influencers isn’t limited to China. On Twitch, Neuro-sama—an anime-styled AI streamer developed by solo creator Vedal—has become one of the platform’s top personalities, with over 5,000 regular viewers.
Digital Humans Dominate: The Rise of AI Avatars in Global Livestreaming
Luo Yonghao, once a top figure in China’s livestreaming scene, experienced a turning point when his AI-generated clone outperformed him in sales. Built using Baidu’s advanced AI model and trained on five years of video data, the avatar retained Luo’s signature humor and charisma. The result was a livestream that not only lasted longer but far exceeded sales expectations.
The success is being hailed as a “DeepSeek moment,” named after the emerging AI firm backed by Baidu that develops ChatGPT-like models with a focus on affordability and scalability. DeepSeek’s role highlights China’s growing ambition to lead in accessible AI development, particularly in commerce and media applications.
What makes AI avatars particularly attractive to companies is their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They can stream for hours without breaks, don’t require expensive production teams, and offer consistent brand messaging. This is already transforming livestreaming into a fully scalable, AI-driven business model.
Outside of China, the AI influencer wave is building too. Neuro-sama’s popularity on Twitch shows how interactive AI can create meaningful entertainment experiences. With her anime design, real-time interactions, and gaming content, she blends traditional influencer engagement with the limitless potential of generative AI.
AI avatars are no longer just digital novelties—they are high-performing, cost-efficient influencers redefining how brands, audiences, and creators engage in the virtual space.
“The digital human effect has scared me … I’m a bit dazed.” — Luo Yonghao, after witnessing his AI clone outperform him in livestream sales.
