The provided text explores the rapid evolution of virtual characters in China, noting how they have shifted from simple entertainment to practical business tools. Unlike Japanese VTubers who often rely on human actors for movement, Chinese tech firms are advancing AI-driven precision through performance capture and speech synthesis. These digital entities now serve as automated news anchors, bank tellers, and multilingual guides to improve efficiency in various industries. The source suggests that the popularity of sci-fi films and a desire to reduce human contact during the pandemic accelerated this technological shift. Ultimately, these lifelike characters are viewed as essential infrastructure for the future metaverse, acting as the primary interface between humans and virtual environments.