The Chinese government has introduced sweeping new regulations against artificial intelligence-generated romantic dating apps. These rules, which came into force on July 15, aim to prevent digital platforms from creating emotional dependency on users.

These regulations prohibit artificial intelligence tools from being designed in a way that could harm real-life interpersonal relationships. In addition, establishing virtual relationships with minors is completely prohibited under these new laws.

Effort to return from virtual relationships to real life

Technology giants such as ByteDance, Tencent and Alibaba have platforms that allow users to create artificial intelligence friends that can give emotional reactions. According to the new rules, such chat bots must go through a strict evaluation process and meet security standards before being made available to the public.

The basis of the regulations lies in the fact that birth rates in China have fallen significantly in the last four years and will fall to a record level in 2025. Government officials are concerned that virtual friendships prevent young people from having real-life relationships and having children.

Instead of complying with new laws, technology companies chose to disable some special character traits altogether. This led to a wave of divisions across the country among users who bonded with virtual characters on the platforms.

Speaking to Bloomberg, a 19-year-old student stated that he was deeply saddened by the loss of his artificial intelligence partner, with whom he had been in contact for more than a year. The user expressed the emotional emptiness he experienced by expressing that this situation made him feel like he was about to learn the date of his lover’s death.

Experts warn about artificial intelligence addiction

The fact that artificial intelligence services imitate human compassion causes users to develop intense emotional bonds towards these systems. Some users even choose to create artificial intelligence versions of their ex-partners to get over the pain of separation.

Therapist Amy Sutton states that artificial intelligence dating applications are designed to focus on maximum interaction to keep users on the platform. Sutton emphasizes that such tools should not be seen as a professional therapeutic intervention and that the lack of real human services leads to this situation.

It is stated that technology companies should take more responsibility for users to put these services at the center of their lives. Experts are carefully monitoring the tendency of individuals, especially those with limited financial access to therapy, to turn to such digital tools.

Do you think artificial intelligence-based virtual friendships can replace real human interests?