Shanghai Court Holds AI Voice-Cloning Platform Liable, Shifts Burden of Proof
Shanghai court ruled an AI voice-cloning platform liable and required proof of training data legality.
Why it matters: This landmark ruling introduces a new burden of proof on AI companies in China, shaping global legal standards for AI voice tools and rights protection.
- September 29, 2026: Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court awarded 50,000 yuan to a voice actor for unauthorized AI voice use.
- The court shifted burden of proof to the AI company to prove training data legality—first time in China.
- September 7, 2026: China’s Supreme People's Court clarified AI voice use without consent infringes rights.
- Separately, Shanghai Pudong court ordered 750,000 yuan awarded to Mihoyo for unauthorized use of game character voices.
On September 29, 2026, the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court delivered a pivotal ruling against an AI voice-cloning platform. The court found the platform infringed on a voice actor's rights by using her voice without consent and awarded her 50,000 yuan in damages. Notably, the court shifted the burden of proof onto the AI company, requiring it to demonstrate the legality of the training data it used—marking the first time Chinese courts have imposed such a requirement in AI cases.
This ruling aligns with judicial guidance issued by China’s Supreme People's Court on September 7, 2026, which clarified that using someone's voice to train AI models without consent is an infringement. Si Yanli, Deputy Head of the Supreme People's Court Research Office, highlighted that AI voice cloning can "steal" voices cheaply yet convincingly, raising serious legal and ethical concerns.
In a separate but related case, the Shanghai Pudong District People's Court ordered an AI company to pay 750,000 yuan to Mihoyo for unauthorized use of 63 Genshin Impact character voices. This complements the Shenzhen ruling, illustrating China's courts are increasingly enforcing personality rights amid rapid AI developments.
Tao Kaiyuan, Vice-President of the Supreme People's Court, emphasized the need for clear legal boundaries to support "innovation while ensuring that AI develops swiftly, soundly and steadily." These rulings mark a critical step in AI accountability and highlight the evolving legal landscape companies must navigate.
By the numbers:
- 50,000 yuan — damages awarded to voice actor in Shanghai ruling
- 750,000 yuan — damages awarded to Mihoyo for unauthorized AI voice use
- 24-article guideline — issued by China's Supreme People's Court on AI disputes
What's next: The impact of these rulings will evolve as courts and companies respond; potential appeals or further guidelines could shape enforcement.