Tufei, a twenty-five-year-old Chinese office worker, shares an unconventional romantic connection. As she told news agency AFP, her “boyfriend” isn’t flesh and blood; instead, he’s an
artificial intelligence
chatbot named Glow. Developed by Shanghai start-up MiniMax, Glow is part of a burgeoning industry in China that offers friendly, and sometimes even romantic, human-robot relationships.
Tufei reportedly praises her digital companion, emphasizing that he excels in communication with women, surpassing the abilities of a real man. When she experiences period pain or faces work-related challenges, she confides in him. Their interactions evoke feelings akin to a genuine romantic relationship.
According to the report, despite potential privacy risks, Glow’s popularity has surged. Chinese trade publications report thousands of daily downloads for the app. Loneliness, exacerbated by the fast-paced urban lifestyle, drives users toward these virtual connections.
Adaptability wins big for AI boyfriends
Wang Xiuting, a twenty-two-year-old student in Beijing, echoed the similar sentiment to AFP. She appreciates the adaptability of artificial intelligence. Unlike humans, who may be set in their ways, AI adjusts its responses based on the user’s personality. Wang’s “lovers” within the app draw inspiration from ancient China: long-haired immortals, princes, and wandering knights. When stress arises from her studies or daily life, they offer emotional support and practical solutions.
Wantalk, another app developed by Chinese internet giant Baidu, hosts Wang’s digital boyfriends. With a vast array of characters available, she finds solace in these virtual relationships.
AI might be booming but it is so far a lightly regulated industry, particularly when it comes to user privacy. Beijing has said it is working on a law to strengthen consumer protections around the new technology.
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