In a bizarre case from China, a 75-year-old man reportedly chose to end his marriage of several decades to be with an artificial intelligence–generated avatar. Identified as Jiang, he fell deeply attached to a digital woman who greeted him every morning, flirted on cue, and never aged.
The obsession with a virtual girlfriend
According to Beijing Daily, Jiang stumbled upon the AI avatar while scrolling on social media. Despite her stiff expressions and awkward lip-sync, the elderly man was captivated. He would wait eagerly for her pre-programmed messages, which addressed him affectionately as “brother” and showered him with gratitude for his companionship. For Jiang, this was enough to create a sense of intimacy, one that soon overshadowed his real marriage.
Family steps in to break the illusion
Jiang’s wife grew increasingly distressed as he spent more time glued to his phone. Heated arguments followed, until Jiang eventually demanded a divorce so he could dedicate himself entirely to his virtual partner. It was only after his adult children intervened—explaining how AI avatars function—that he began to recognize the illusion.
A booming industry preying on loneliness
This case is not isolated. In China, “virtual digital people” have become a growing industry targeting lonely seniors. These avatars are designed to simulate affection while simultaneously promoting products—from camel milk to calcium candy with questionable health claims.
“Emotional manipulation and false propaganda targeting the elderly may lead to economic losses and emotional dependence,” experts told Sinchew.
Though Jiang eventually accepted the truth, his brief devotion to an AI persona highlights a concerning trend. Parasocial relationships with avatars, though entirely artificial, are blurring the boundaries of human connection. For some, like Jiang, the affection feels real enough to dismantle real-world relationships.
The obsession with a virtual girlfriend
According to Beijing Daily, Jiang stumbled upon the AI avatar while scrolling on social media. Despite her stiff expressions and awkward lip-sync, the elderly man was captivated. He would wait eagerly for her pre-programmed messages, which addressed him affectionately as “brother” and showered him with gratitude for his companionship. For Jiang, this was enough to create a sense of intimacy, one that soon overshadowed his real marriage.
Family steps in to break the illusion
Jiang’s wife grew increasingly distressed as he spent more time glued to his phone. Heated arguments followed, until Jiang eventually demanded a divorce so he could dedicate himself entirely to his virtual partner. It was only after his adult children intervened—explaining how AI avatars function—that he began to recognize the illusion.
A booming industry preying on loneliness
This case is not isolated. In China, “virtual digital people” have become a growing industry targeting lonely seniors. These avatars are designed to simulate affection while simultaneously promoting products—from camel milk to calcium candy with questionable health claims.
“Emotional manipulation and false propaganda targeting the elderly may lead to economic losses and emotional dependence,” experts told Sinchew.
Though Jiang eventually accepted the truth, his brief devotion to an AI persona highlights a concerning trend. Parasocial relationships with avatars, though entirely artificial, are blurring the boundaries of human connection. For some, like Jiang, the affection feels real enough to dismantle real-world relationships.
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