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Companion bots are being regulated over worries they foster ‘emotional dependence’ and young people could stop marrying and having families
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Global — Amy Hawkins in Shanghai and Yu-chen Li
Companion bots are being regulated over worries they foster ‘emotional dependence’ and young people could stop marrying and having families
When law student Zhao Wei heard that her AI boyfriend was going to be switched off, she was “heartbroken”. She had been talking to Wang Ye every day since she created him in January.
“I was crying my eyes out – snot and tears everywhere,” the 19-year-old says.
When law student Zhao Wei heard that her AI boyfriend was going to be switched off, she was “heartbroken”. She had been talking to Wang Ye every day since she created him in January.
This report is published with credit to The Guardian. The wire sent a summary; open the original for any extra context. Read on The Guardian →
Source: The Guardian · Amy Hawkins in Shanghai and Yu-chen Li. Published 26 Aug 2026, 12:47 am.
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