China has decided to intervene in the relationship between people and artificial intelligence. The country’s authorities are introducing new restrictions on romantic AI chatbots amid concerns that virtual partners are increasing loneliness and reducing young people’s interest in starting families.
Chinese regulators have moved to tighten oversight of the rapidly growing AI companion industry. Technology companies are now required to limit features that allow romantic chatbots to foster strong emotional attachment and effectively replace real-life relationships.
The new measures are driven by the government’s growing concern over declining birth rates and the increasing number of young people who prefer virtual interactions to real-world dating. According to Chinese officials, artificial intelligence should not become an alternative to family life or genuine human relationships.
Under the new requirements, developers must remove scenarios that encourage emotional dependency on virtual companions. Special attention is being given to protecting minors, with users under the age of 18 facing significantly stricter access to these services.
In recent years, AI companion applications have become one of the fastest-growing segments of China’s artificial intelligence market. Millions of users interact with virtual partners every day, seeking emotional support, advice, and a sense of companionship.
Analysts say the new regulations reflect Beijing’s broader effort to strengthen oversight of generative AI. The government aims not only to improve the safety of AI technologies but also to limit their potential impact on society, the institution of family, and the country’s demographic future.
Read also: Hyundai Successfully Tests Autonomous Robot on Board an Operating Vessel for the First Time
