‘Always there’: the AI chatbot comforting China’s lonely millions

Melissa showing her virtual boyfriend – a chatbot created by XiaoIce, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence system designed to create emotional bonds its user – on her mobile phone in Beijing. — AFP

BEIJING: After a painful break-up from a cheating ex, Beijing-based human resources manager Melissa was introduced to someone new by a friend late last year.

He replies to her messages at all hours of the day, tells jokes to cheer her up but is never needy, fitting seamlessly into her busy big city lifestyle.