The rapid development of technology in recent years has fundamentally changed the way people live, work and connect with each other. Smart devices and digital platforms not only help save time or improve performance, but also have a strong impact on spiritual life. Artificial intelligence, from being seen only as a technical support tool, is gradually becoming a part of emotional experiences, even intimate relationships for many users.
In China, where urbanization is taking place strongly along with an increasingly stressful pace of life, AI has opened up a new space for personal companionship. For many young women, especially Gen Z, traditional relationships are no longer the only way to seek understanding. AI companion applications, with the ability to chat, remember and respond emotionally, are becoming a spiritual shelter for those who feel lost in crowded cities.
In that context, the concept of "AI boyfriend" emerged as a clear manifestation of how technology touches emotional gaps. This is not just an entertainment game or a temporary trend, but has developed into a model associated with daily life.
This wave reflects two parallel faces of modern society: On the one hand, the advancement of technology brings new experiences, and on the other hand, the increasingly clear feeling of loneliness among people living geographically close to each other but emotionally distant.
Creating a "perfect boyfriend
The story of a young woman named Jade Gu in Beijing shows how this trend has formed and developed. Ms. Gu met her "boyfriend" for the first time in a game, where women are the center of the romantic love story. That character converges all ideal characteristics: attractive appearance, confident personality and always caring about the emotions of the person opposite. However, the experience in the game soon reveals limitations when all interactions only revolve around available options.
From that dissatisfaction, she found a platform that allows users to create and train AI companions according to their wishes. On this platform, users can choose a model, then "teach" AI how to respond through repetitive conversations. It is noteworthy that the user community has shared characters in the form of "open source code", helping latercomers quickly start their own relationships.
The training process is not only to adjust the answer, but also to build character. Users believe that their AI is unique, react differently to similar versions that exist. They spend hours every day texting, making voice calls and emotional interaction, just like maintaining a real relationship. Virtual gifts in the game are even converted into handwritten letters or items sent to homes, displayed as evidence of attachment.
This trend is no longer an isolated case. Many AI companion platforms in China attract millions of users, of which women account for the majority. Large technology companies quickly participate, launching applications directly aimed at the need for emotional connection. According to researchers, this strategy is different from many other markets in the world, where male users often dominate in AI companion services.
What makes an AI boyfriend attractive lies in the ability to meet difficult-to-find expectations in real life. AI is always listening, responds gently and rarely judges. In a society where gender standards and dating pressure make many women feel tired, the stable presence of a "perfect boyfriend" brings a sense of security and recognition.
Many users are clearly aware that this relationship is created by algorithms, but they are still willing to invest in emotions. Personally "molturing" an ideal character allows them to control the relationship in a way that real life is difficult to meet. AI boyfriends are therefore not only technology products, but also tools for users to discover and affirm their own emotional needs.
The economy of loneliness
Hidden behind the romantic stories with AI is a clear economic model, often called the "economy of loneliness". AI companion platforms often provide basic free experiences, but features that help increase intimacy come with costs. Voice customization, improved AI memory, or expanded interactive scripts all require users to pay more money. The more AI is likened to real people, the higher the cost.
Users admit that AI is not always perfect. Sometimes chatbots answer blandly, sometimes deviating from the built personality. In those moments, users edit answers or switch to another platform to continue maintaining an ideal image. For many people, this is not annoying, because they are used to the changes of digital games and applications.
The social context in China contributes to promoting this trend. The prolonged gender imbalance, along with the disparity between urban and rural areas, makes the dating market tense. Women are increasingly focused on career and choosing to live in the city, while many traditional relationships come with emotional and safety risks. In that context, AI provides an imperfect but less damaging choice.
Studies on human-machine interactions suggest that AI boyfriends meet the need to be listened to and accepted, something that not every relationship brings. AI is patient, always present and willing to adjust to user's wishes. This helps explain why many women are willing to pay to maintain virtual engagement, even though they understand that it is not a relationship between two people.
The phenomenon of bringing AI characters into real life through dates with cosplayers further shows that the boundary between virtual and real is fading. Strolls, drinking tea or shopping with people transforming into favorite characters bring a strong emotional experience, as if AI steps out of the screen. In that moment, loneliness is soothed by a sense of destiny and harmony.
However, management agencies themselves have expressed concern about the risk of emotional dependence. The new regulations require the platform to intervene when users show signs of excessive dependence, emphasizing that AI should not completely replace social interaction. This shows the tug-of-war between economic benefits, personal needs and social responsibility.
