A quirky new trend sweeping China is young people turning to AI pets for comfort and companionship. These virtual creatures, designed to interact with their owners, are providing a unique form of support, especially for those who struggle with social anxiety. With their lifelike personalities and comforting presence, AI pets are offering a much-needed escape from the pressures of daily life.Whether for a chat, a playful moment, or just a calming presence, these digital friends are helping to fill an emotional gap for many. As the popularity of AI pets grows, they’re becoming an interesting part of the conversation about technology and mental well-being, one purr or wag at a time.
AI pets offer comfort and connection for young people facing social anxiety in China
Smart Artificial Intelligence (AI) pets are increasingly popular in China, where young people are seeking digital companions to help them cope with social anxiety and emotional support, as per the reports of South China Morning Post. Since May 2024, BooBoo, a fuzzy and wriggly “smart pet” that looks like a guinea pig, has sold more than 1,000 units. One user, 19-year-old Zhang Yachun, shared how her AI pet, named “Aluo,” has made her life easier. She struggled with building lasting friendships and now finds comfort in her virtual companion, which she treats to winter clothes.
With such exponential growth, according to experts, the global social robots market will increase sevenfold by 2033 and reach $42.5 billion. For a lot of families, smart AI pets have now become a great source of emotional support and, in some aspects, help to offset the growing number of lonely city lives.
Smart AI pets gain popularity among families in China
The demand for such robot pets is reported to increase with Weilan, the leading supplier of AI pets as BabyAlpha, that 70% of their customers are families with young children. These four-legged robos cost between 8,000 to 26,000 yuan and tend to be an investment for those seeking emotional support and interactive companionship for their children.
While AI pets are increasingly common among the younger generation, they appeal to more than just children. Families have also bought these robotic friends to aid in various activities and comfort their loved ones. According to 33-year-old Guo Zichen, AI pets come in handy when his child is unable to spend quality time with him. He believes they will be very helpful to children, especially when studying and other activities are concerned. However, he also stressed that these AI pets cannot replace the real ones.
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