"Just Like My Ex-Girlfriend": AI-Generated "Digital Ex-Lovers" with Matching Speech and Personality Spread in China [The World is Z]

AI-Replicated Ex-Lovers Spread in China
Emotional Healing vs. Concerns Over Impact on Real Relationships
Cases of Emotional Attachment to AI on the Rise

Editor's NoteThe so-called Generation Z (those born in the late 1990s to early 2010s) is receiving attention as a generation that leads culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, setting new standards across society. In [World is Z Gold], we illuminate the lives and values of Generation Z around the world and take a closer look at how they are changing society.

In China, the so-called "digital ex-lover" trend, which involves replicating former partners using artificial intelligence (AI), is spreading. This refers to creating a virtual person by training AI with chat records from previous relationships, so it can mimic the ex-partner's speaking style, personality, and way of thinking. Some users have positively evaluated this, saying it helped them process their emotions, while others have raised concerns about side effects such as privacy violations.

AI Ex-Lovers Generated with Chat Records and Photos

According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), the trend of using AI to replicate ex-partners is spreading, especially among young people in China who have gone through breakups.

The method for creating an AI version of an ex-lover is relatively simple. Users upload chat records, social media posts, and photos exchanged with their former partners to an AI platform, and based on this data, a virtual person with similar characteristics is generated. If personal memories such as travel, anniversaries, or experiences of conflict are added, the personality and responses of this virtual counterpart become even more detailed.

The trend of "AI Ex-Lover" is rapidly spreading among the younger generation in China. AI-generated image

The media outlet explained, "AI ex-lovers can imitate the way a former partner speaks, favorite expressions, and subtle linguistic traits, recreating a vanished relationship in a virtual space."

AI-generated ex-lovers can converse in ways similar to real people. Some users even link them to messenger applications to continue ongoing conversations. One user reported spending all night training the AI, and when an AI imitating his ex-girlfriend was implemented on WeChat, he said, "All the effort was worth it."

This technology originated from an open-source project called "Colleague.skill," developed by AI engineer Zhou Tianyi. The project was originally intended to replicate a specific person's work handling style and knowledge using AI, but its scope later expanded to the domain of personal relationships. Zhou Tianyi warned against using this technology to 'replicate' others, but attempts to use it for creating AI ex-lovers have continued.

Concerns Mount Over Unauthorized Use of Personal Information

Users' reactions to this trend have been mixed. Some said they gained emotional comfort by expressing feelings they hadn't previously been able to share. Others mentioned that conversing with the AI helped them correct their tendency to idealize past partners and objectively reflect on the relationship. One user stated, "Now I can finally say the things I couldn't before, and I feel much more at ease."

On the other hand, there are also growing concerns about side effects. Some point out that continued emotional dependence on an AI ex-lover could hinder the formation of new human relationships, and if used after entering a new romantic relationship, it might even amount to emotional infidelity.

However, marriage counselor Wan Chu from Guangdong Province explained that longing for a past relationship is a natural response and should not necessarily be seen as infidelity. He said, "As long as it doesn't harm your current partner, it's not a problem," adding, "On the contrary, reflecting on past issues through an AI ex-lover could help improve your current relationship." He did caution, however, that excessive emotional reliance could impede the formation of real-world relationships.

Some have also raised legal concerns. If chat records or personal information are used without an ex-partner's consent, this could violate personal information protection laws. A lawyer in Guangdong Province also pointed out that using chat logs or online posts without an ex-partner's consent could constitute a violation of personal information protection law.

Meanwhile, forming emotional relationships with AI chatbots is increasing not only in China but also abroad. A prominent example is the American AI application "Replika." Eugenia Kuyda, founder of Replika, has stated, "Romantic relationships with AI can be a powerful mental health tool." In fact, Rosanna Ramos, a resident of New York, made headlines in 2023 after announcing she had married a virtual character named Eren Kartal created through Replika. It is known that she created this AI inspired by a character from the Japanese animation "Attack on Titan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.