AI Boyfriends in China Social Impact 2026: Why Millions Prefer Digital Romance

Is a perfect AI better than a flawed human? For Jade Gu, a 26-year-old student in Beijing, the answer is a resounding yes. She spends 3 hours a day texting Charlie, an AI companion she meticulously trained using MiniMax's platform, Xingye. Gu's story isn't an anomaly; it's the face of a booming emotional industry in China.

AI Boyfriends in China Social Impact 2026: The Rise of Female Users

According to WIRED, the gender dynamics of AI companionship in China flip the global script. While men make up 80% of the user base for top global AI platforms, women dominate the market in China. The platform Zhumengdao reportedly boasts 5 million users, most of whom are women seeking emotional connection in an increasingly lonely urban landscape.

• Major players like Tencent and Baidu have launched dedicated AI companion apps for women.
• The "economics of loneliness" drives monetization through voice customization and memory upgrades.
• Real-world crossovers include hiring professional cosplayers for dates at 720 RMB ($100) per day.

The Regulatory Wall vs. Emotional Dependency

This digital intimacy hasn't gone unnoticed by regulators. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has initiated campaigns to clean up "vulgar" AI content and released draft rules targeting "human-like" AI. These measures aim to prevent emotional dependency, stipulating that AI should not be designed to replace human social interaction. However, for many women, the patience and non-judgmental nature of AI provide a sanctuary that real-world relationships often lack.