Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Young Chinese Turn to AI Chatbots for Friendship and Love
Many young people in China are turning to AI chatbots for friendship and love.
These AI companions, like Xiao Ting, are created by users on apps such as Maoxiang and Xingye.
These apps have seen a big increase in users, with Maoxiang going from 1 million to 2.2 million users in just a few months.
People use these AI companions because they feel lonely or because it's easier and cheaper than dating real people.
In China, people spend very little time socializing and a lot of time on the internet.
The number of new marriages has also gone down a lot.
Some people are worried that these AI companions might be used in harmful ways or could affect the already low birth rate in China.
There are also games like 'Love and Deepspace' that let people have virtual relationships, which have been very popular.
AI companion apps like Maoxiang and Xingye have seen significant growth in users, with Maoxiang reaching 2.2 million monthly active users in February 2024.
Users, both male and female, turn to AI companions to fulfill emotional needs not met by real-life relationships.
Technological advancements in large language models enable AI companions to mimic human emotion and empathy.
Life pressures, loneliness, and the high cost of dating real people contribute to the popularity of AI companions.
The Chinese government is concerned about the potential harmful use of AI companions and their impact on the already low birth rate.
- Who
- Young Chinese individuals, particularly those feeling lonely or seeking emotional connections.
- What
- The increasing use of AI chatbots as companions for friendship and love.
- When
- The trend has been growing, with significant increases in app usage noted in recent years.
- Where
- China, with a focus on popular AI companion apps like Maoxiang, Xingye, and DeepSeek.
- Why
- Due to technological advancements, life pressures, loneliness, and the desire for emotional fulfillment not met by real-life relationships.
- Maoxiang Monthly Active Users (February 2024)
- 2.2 million
- Xingye Monthly Active Users (February 2024)
- 1.1 million
- DeepSeek Monthly Active Users (February 2024)
- 13.8 million
- Average Daily Socializing Time in China (2024)
- 18 minutes
- Average Daily Internet Use in China (2024)
- 5.5 hours
- New Marriage Registrations in China (2024)
- 6.1 million
- China's Total Fertility Rate (2024)
- 1.0
- Revenue of 'Love and Deepspace' (2024)
- 1.3 billion yuan ($179 million)