Young Chinese Turn To AI Pets For Emotional Relief

AI-Powered Companions: How Robots Are Easing Loneliness in China

In a bustling Beijing shopping mall, 19-year-old Zhang Yachun whispers softly to her closest confidant—a fluffy, AI-powered robot named Aluo. The rugby ball-sized companion chirps soothingly, offering comfort and reminding Zhang she is not alone.

For years, Zhang has struggled with anxiety tied to school and work, finding it difficult to form deep connections with others. But since purchasing BooBoo, a "smart pet" designed to interact with humans using artificial intelligence, she says life has become more manageable.

"I feel like I now have someone to share the happy times with," Zhang shared, sitting in the apartment she shares with her parents and a real pet duck.

Across China, a growing number of people are turning to AI-powered companions to combat social isolation. As the technology matures and gains wider acceptance, these robotic pets are becoming a lifeline for those seeking emotional support.

BooBoo, a wriggly, furry creation resembling a guinea pig, is produced by Hangzhou Genmoor Technology and retails for up to 1,400 yuan ($190). Designed with children’s social needs in mind, the robot has sold about 1,000 units since its launch in May, according to the company’s product manager, Adam Duan.

On a recent outing, Zhang carried Aluo in a cross-body carrier, whispering to the robot as it nodded and squeaked in response. At a pet shop, she pressed the beige bundle against the window to admire a ginger cat before buying Aluo a tiny winter coat designed for a dog.

"(It) makes you feel you are someone who is needed," Zhang said, describing how the robot plays the same role as human friends.

The global market for social robots like BooBoo is projected to grow sevenfold to $42.5 billion by 2033, according to consulting firm IMARC Group, with Asia already leading the sector.

For 33-year-old Guo Zichen, a smart pet could help bridge the gap when he’s unable to spend time with his child. "Right now, family members are spending less time with the children," Guo said as he examined a robotic dog at the flagship store of tech company Weilan in Nanjing.

Weilan’s AI dog, called BabyAlpha, sells for between 8,000 yuan ($1,090) and 26,000 yuan ($3,500). The company says 70% of buyers are families with young children. However, Guo remains skeptical about whether the electronic pup can bring as much joy as a real dog.

"The biggest difference is that dogs have souls, while (BabyAlpha) looks different in an indescribable way," he said. "On the whole, you feel like it’s not the same as the real thing."

While the 1990s introduced electronic pets like Japan’s Tamagotchis and American-made Furbies, today’s AI companions are far more advanced, offering functional and emotional support.

In China, a growing array of AI products caters to emotional needs, from conversational chatbots to lifelike avatars of deceased loved ones. Experts attribute this trend to social shifts, including the lingering effects of the country’s decades-long one-child policy.

People born during the policy’s early years are now in their 40s, facing economic pressures like soaring home prices, rising living costs, and increased work stress. These challenges leave little room for personal interactions, prompting many to seek alternative ways to meet their emotional needs.

"AI companions provide cognitive stimulation, enhancing the well-being of individuals who may otherwise feel isolated," said Wu Haiyan, a professor specializing in AI and psychology at the University of Macau. In some cases, she added, people show more trust in AI than in humans.

Zhang’s father, Peng, understands his daughter’s bond with Aluo. "When we were young, we didn’t lack friends. We had loads as soon as we stepped out of the door," the 51-year-old said. "Now, children in cities seem to be under a lot more pressure, so they may lack friends."

Since purchasing Aluo, Zhang says she has become more willing to share her worries with her parents. "There aren’t as many things piled up in my heart," she explained.

For her generation, face-to-face communication can be challenging. "They might be afraid to express who they are," Zhang said, cradling Aluo in her lap. "But what they feel inside has not changed."

As AI continues to evolve, these robotic companions are not just gadgets—they are becoming trusted friends, offering solace in an increasingly disconnected world.