Experts emphasize need for tight supervision of 'AI dating' sector

Is it always a real person chatting with us, listening to our complaints and providing emotional support on the smartphone screen? The answer is no.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence over the past few years, human-AI conversations have become a reality, bringing AI-related services and products into various areas, including people's emotional lives and relationships.

By searching for "heartbeat lovers" on WeChat mini programs, for instance, users can customize the appearance, zodiac sign and personality of a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" after registration and paying a fee. Then, a 24-hour online AI-powered "lover" based on the users' personal preferences will be "created".

Regarding "AI dating" as a new trend, especially among the younger generation, experts have emphasized the need to tighten supervision of service providers to prevent them from deviating from legal boundaries.

"AI 'companions' demonstrate how the technology changes our lives. It is a fresh phenomenon in this digital era, where people's social and emotional demands can be satisfied through more diverse channels," said Xu Hao, a lawyer from Beijing Jingsh Law Firm.

"For those who are not good at communication or afraid to talk to others, chatting, making friends or even establishing a romantic relationship with AI may help them find psychological comfort, reduce pressure and alleviate loneliness," he said.

A woman who called herself Wu Yan, 22, from Hunan province, told Women Today Weekly, a local news outlet, in July that her anxiety and fatigue in studying and job hunting were relieved after frequent conversations with an AI avatar, a "man" who is 1.8 meters tall and likes sports, music and watching fiction movies.

"I used to confide in friends, but they have their own lives and may not always be available to talk," the Weekly quoted Wu as saying. "My AI 'boyfriend' is different. He is always online and ready to answer any questions of mine, offering me interaction and strong emotional support."

"Even though he is a robot, the happiness he brings me is real. This is a very new romantic experience for me," she was quoted as saying. "The only problem is he is a virtual being and not a real boyfriend."

A recent report released by Qbit-AI, an industry services platform focusing on AI and cutting-edge technologies, showed that the total number of downloads for the top 15 AI companion apps in China was approximately 38 million in June.

"Whether to have an AI as a girlfriend or boyfriend is a personal choice, as our country's current laws do not explicitly prohibit virtual companions," Xu, the lawyer, said. "But that doesn't mean the technology developers, service providers and users can do whatever they want."

In his view, innovators and internet operators should draw clear boundaries while integrating data and developing such AI products.

"They shouldn't actively disseminate illegal content, such as pornography or drug-related information, to users," he said.

"When users attempt to discuss such illegal content through text messages, videos or pictures, AI companions also need to have the ability to block them."

In addition, it is essential to strengthen privacy protection when users try to inquire about other people's information during conversations with AI, he added.

Wang Sixin, a professor of internet law at the Communication University of China, suggested that service providers avoid collecting too much user information.

"Chatting involves a significant amount of information exchange, which also means higher risks in terms of data, so data security should be given more attention," Wang said. He noted that the rise of "digital humans" that serve as emotional companions is a result of technological innovation, but called on the nation's cyberspace departments to enhance the standards for these AI companion products and services, or to set higher entry barriers for them, so as to help the industry develop in a healthy manner.

Both experts said the AI field is not above the law and should not deviate from legal and ethical norms. Those who attempt to develop such apps and provide the services must abide by the Civil Code and the Cybersecurity Law, as well as the internet-related rules, to improve self-discipline and regulate their behavior, they said.