Leon Lai Releases AI-Generated Music Video
The video for Hold You uses artificial intelligence to depict the singer as a younger man alongside Fatboy, drawing mixed fan reactions.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Leon Lai has released the music video for Hold You, a collaboration with Leung Yip, known as Fatboy of the Hong Kong boy band Error. The video was created entirely using artificial intelligence and digitally transforms Lai into his younger self.
Why it matters
The release shows how AI-generated imagery is being used in mainstream music promotion, and it has sparked debate among viewers about whether digital recreations can capture the charm of a live performer.
The video depicts Lai at roughly 40 years younger than his current age of 59, with the digital version standing considerably taller than his actual 180cm height. Details on the production process and cost were not disclosed.
The players
Leon Lai
Hong Kong singer and actor, aged 59, who is the subject of the AI-generated music video.
Fatboy (Leung Yip)
Member of the Hong Kong boy band Error who collaborated with Lai on the song Hold You.
The details
In the video, Lai is recreated with youthful, chiselled features, while some viewers felt the AI version lacked the natural charm and charisma of the original singer and that the face looked overly perfect. Fans have expressed divided reactions to the digital appearance.
Timeline
1985: Lai is depicted studying in Britain in the video.
Recent: The music video for Hold You was released.
The Tech Race
The use of AI to digitally de-age performers extends techniques that have appeared in film into music promotion, placing Hong Kong pop within a wider industry experiment with generative video. The visible reception gap between viewers suggests the technique remains contested as a substitute for live artistic presence.
For listeners, the video is available as a visual release rather than an audio-only track, changing how the song is consumed. The mixed reception shows that audiences will judge AI-generated performers by how authentic they feel.
The takeaway
AI-generated visuals can make a performer look younger, but audiences still weigh authenticity and presence heavily. Creators using these tools should expect scrutiny over whether the result feels genuine.
Further reading
Explore more on Artificial Intelligence for broader context on how generative tools are reshaping media production.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NST Online.
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