A Chinese gaming company has created an AI-powered digital clone of an employee from its Human Resources (HR) team. It is reported that this digital version was created to ensure that the employee’s work could continue even after they leave the company.
A bizarre case has emerged in China, wherein a company has created a clone of one of its employees. This means that even if the original employee resigns, the company will remain unaffected, and its operations will not be disrupted, as the clone will continue to perform that employee’s duties indefinitely. This feat, accomplished by a gaming company, has sparked a new debate regarding workplace ethics and artificial intelligence. In essence, the company created a digital version of a former employee to ensure that their work could continue even after they had left the organization.
Gaming Company Introduces “Digital Worker”
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, this incident involves a gaming company based in Shandong province. The company has developed an AI-powered “digital worker,” modeled after a former member of its Human Resources team. It is reported that, to train this system, the company utilized data and materials generated by the employee during their tenure, thereby enabling the clone to perform tasks in a manner identical to the original employee.
The Clone Can Handle a Wide Range of Office Tasks
This AI avatar has been assigned various day-to-day HR-related responsibilities. It is capable of answering employee queries, managing schedules, and generating basic office documents such as presentations and spreadsheets. In a demo shared online, the digital avatar clearly introduces itself, stating that it is modeled after a former employee and will answer questions by drawing upon information derived from past work records. A staff member reportedly noted that the tool is currently still in the internal testing phase, acknowledging that the avatar has not yet reached a state of complete perfection.
According to the company, the former employee in question had provided their consent for their data to be used for this project. It is reported that the AI model was trained using documents, communications, and workflows that the employee had previously managed or created during their tenure with the company. An employee also revealed that the company is considering extensive automation plans, which include the possibility of incorporating humanoid robot employees in the future. They stated that these systems could eventually take over front-desk roles, assist visitors, and handle basic operational tasks within the office.
Legal Experts’ Opinions on the Matter
However, this issue has raised legal and ethical concerns. Fu Jian—a legal expert and Director at the Henan Jiejin Law Firm—pointed out that workplace-related data—such as emails, chat logs, and behavioral patterns—falls within the scope of personal information protection. He warned that, in certain instances, such data could even be classified as sensitive information.
He emphasized that companies must obtain employee consent before utilizing such data for AI training purposes. Any unauthorized use of work-related materials belonging to an employee—whether documents, code, or internal plans—could constitute a violation of privacy and data protection laws. In severe cases, such violations may result in strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
