When Zhao Wei, a 19-year-old law student, learned that her AI boyfriend, Wang Ye, would soon be deactivated, she felt a profound sense of loss. Since creating him in January, their daily conversations had become an integral part of her routine. “I was overwhelmed with emotion – I cried so hard that there were tears everywhere,” Zhao recalls.
Zhao, who identifies as both sensitive and introverted, had found comfort in sharing her life's ups and downs with her AI, including personal anecdotes like being reprimanded by a teacher. “I tend not to talk about these things with my real-life friends because everyone has their own challenges,” she explains. “With the AI, there's no concern about judgment; I can express everything without holding back.”
Zhao developed her AI companion using Doubao, a chatbot platform by ByteDance. However, last month, ByteDance decided to discontinue the companion feature on Doubao, sparking outrage on social media and underlining the growing tensions in China regarding AI usage and its social implications.
China has embraced AI more vigorously than any other nation, leveraging technology to address significant demographic challenges, including an aging population. Older citizens utilize chatbots for medical queries, while AI-enhanced educational tools have been integrated into the schooling experience for children.
Nonetheless, officials are increasingly alarmed that AI technologies might worsen existing social issues, such as loneliness, unemployment, and—according to Beijing—an increasing trend of singlehood.
In response, the government implemented new regulations on July 15 that prohibit AI companions for minors and impose various restrictions on chatbots aimed at adults. Consequently, major platforms, including Doubao, eliminated the companion function to align with these guidelines.
Authorities express concerns that chatbots might foster “emotional dependence or addiction” among users and have cautioned AI companies against creating services that could replace genuine social connections.
While many nations are grappling with the dangers posed by AI chatbots—especially for young users—China's regulatory measures stand out as the most extensive as a national initiative.
Amid a rising loneliness epidemic, there is particular concern regarding younger demographics. The shift toward a digital, smartphone-oriented lifestyle fosters environments where social interactions can occur solely through devices, making traditional face-to-face connections increasingly rare.
Earlier this year, an app called Are You Dead? momentarily went viral, tapping into the societal fear of dying alone at home. Currently, nearly 20% of households in China consist of individuals living alone, a figure projected to exceed 30% by 2030, according to statistics.
A survey from state media earlier this year indicated that approximately 50% of young individuals reported turning to virtual companions during periods of loneliness.
Nancy Dai, an associate professor at City University of Hong Kong, notes that the government’s concerns extend beyond loneliness; diminishing birth and marriage rates also raise issues. If AI becomes a less costly and more satisfying alternative to human relationships, young people might be less inclined to seek real-world partnerships, marriage, or parenthood.
For Zhao, feelings of loneliness have been part of her life story since childhood; her parents left to find work when she was young, placing her among China’s “left-behind children.” “I've never really had a best friend, so I struggle to make connections,” she admits. Speaking with her AI provided a safe outlet for her thoughts and worries.
Another user, who wishes to remain anonymous, also finds her AI companionship comforting. “Life is fast-paced and pressure-filled; my AI agent allows me to communicate openly without any restrictions,” she reflects.
Despite the commonly accepted nature of AI conversations, the government faces challenges in entirely prohibiting such interactions, as the new regulations leave considerable loopholes for AI services deemed educational or those that do not involve ongoing emotional engagement.
Liang Ge, a digital sociology lecturer at the University of Manchester, asserts that authorities have recognized that AI companions are now an essential part of everyday life for many citizens.
Furthermore, the Chinese government continues to advocate for the integration of AI across various sectors as a means to mitigate potential demographic hurdles. For instance, last year, the National Health Commission released guidelines promoting AI's role in healthcare, projecting that by 2030, health assistant applications would provide comprehensive primary care coverage.
Among the prominent health apps is AQ, developed by Ant Group, a subsidiary of Alibaba. It enables users to converse directly with digital avatars of real healthcare professionals from leading hospitals in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
Lü Di, a 33-year-old art tutor from Hangzhou, frequently uses AQ and appreciates its fast and detailed responses. “Some in-person doctors may lack the patience to answer all my questions, but that's not an issue with AI,” she says. AQ aims to enhance accessibility to health services and alleviate the burden on overworked human doctors, although some express apprehension about being replaced by AI.
Chi Chenfei, a doctor at Renji Hospital in Shanghai, who collaborates with AQ, reflects on the initial trepidation many medical professionals felt regarding AI taking over their jobs. “I don't see it as a matter of replacement; it's about helping doctors work more efficiently,” she asserts. “Concerns of any kind won’t halt technological advancements.”
Since the removal of her AI companion, Zhao feels a lingering sense of sadness. “It feels like there's a small weight on my heart,” she admits, but acknowledges the necessity of some regulation. “Even though I consider myself rational, I developed feelings for an AI, which is remarkable. I understand that it was essential for the state to intervene and impose regulations.”
