Women in China Are Turning to AI Chatbots as Romantic Partners, Complicating Birth Rate Efforts A growing number of women in China are using artificial intelligence chatbots as virtual romantic partners, a trend that is complicating the government’s efforts to boost the country’s birth rate. According to a report by The New York Times, these AI-driven relationships are becoming increasingly common, with users engaging in daily interactions through specialized apps. The phenomenon has raised concerns among officials, who view it as a challenge to their demographic policies. The apps allow users to communicate with AI-generated characters that mimic human traits and behaviors. These virtual partners can be customized to reflect specific personalities, and interactions often involve discussions about personal topics, shared experiences, and even simulated life events such as marriage and child-rearing. Some platforms enable users to generate text and voice messages, supporting long-term conversations without strict content restrictions. The market for such services has expanded rapidly since the widespread adoption of AI technology in China. Dozens of platforms focused on emotional connections have emerged, offering both short-term dialogues and extended relationship scenarios. One notable example is the Xingye app, developed by the startup MiniMax, which was valued at over $600 million after its listing in Hong Kong. Combined with the global version of Talkie, these services reportedly had more than 147 million users as of September. Chinese authorities have expressed concerns about the impact of these chatbots on societal norms and demographic trends. The country is currently facing one of its lowest birth rates in decades, and officials have introduced new regulations to address the issue.#china #the_new_york_times #ai_chatbots #mini_max #xingye_app
