In recent years, artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly prominent role. In China, users seem particularly receptive to this innovative technology and its applications. One of the most fascinating trends that has taken off in this country is the concept of dazi (搭子). The term itself is not specifically related to artificial intelligence, but refers to partners for specific activities, which are of mutual interest, without having to invest emotionally in the relationship. In other words, people with the same hobby who are looking for people to practice it with.
This term, dazi, has become popular in China in recent years, so much so that the online newspaper China Daily lists it among the most prominent neologisms of 2023 (Navigating 2023 through 12 Neologisms, 2024). The dazi culture responds to a need for quick, low-commitment connections, where these ‘temporary friends’ or ‘activity partners’ become a bridge between complete strangers and close friends, as well as a support for those seeking companionship without emotional complexities.
Virtual friends: AI-powered dazi
This phenomenon, coupled with the growing capacity of artificial intelligence, has led to a fairly predictable result: the rise of dazi or virtual companions. There are already many platforms that offer the option of creating this type of personalised companion, in many cases, with an interface included, and with the possibility of defining the type of relationship one wishes to maintain with them.
To a large extent, dazi are a response to the social and economic pressures that affect many people who face long hours of work or study. As The Paper (2025) highlights in an article, young Chinese are turning to AI as an outlet for the emotional difficulties arising from modern life, where lack of time and information overload make it difficult to establish and maintain deeper relationships.
While in many parts of the world the idea of having an AI-generated friend may sound dystopian, in China, this trend has been received differently. In a country with a largely positive view of this technology, and so heavily invested in innovation, dazi, virtual or otherwise, are partially replacing traditional social relationships.
In an experiment conducted by columnist Kevin Roose, he analysed how people in the Western world react to the idea of AI-based friendships, concluding that, overall, most found the idea unsettling (New York Times, 2024). In China, however, the perception is much more positive, as dazi are seen as a practical solution to the emotional difficulties faced by young people in such a competitive social and economic environment.
Indeed, AIs dedicated to providing companionship and emotional support are becoming a multi-billion dollar industry in China, with a strong focus on personalisation and emotional bonding (China Daily, 2025). This development not only has implications for social life, but also for business and even academia, as many companies are taking advantage of this phenomenon, either by integrating AI into marketing strategies to connect with their consumers or by offering study buddies to students.
The dazi trend is a reflection of the cultural and social change that, driven by artificial intelligence, has begun in China, but is likely to spread gradually to other regions. For gamers, for example, the concept may remind them of the typical video game pets, which in many cases also act as a guide until you learn your way around the map. Likewise, AI-powered dazi seem to fulfil a similar task, that of an automatic companion offering guidance of varying degrees of usefulness.
References
China Daily. (January 3, 2024). Navigating 2023 through 12 neologisms. Recuperado de https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202401/03/WS65949ec8a3105f21a507a37e.html
China Daily. (January 27, 2025). Growing investor interest in AI companion robots. Recuperado de https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202501/27/WS6796e1a1a310a2ab06ea986b.html
New York Times. (May 9, 2024). Meet my AI friends. Recuperado de https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/09/technology/meet-my-ai-friends.htmlThe Paper. (2025). 你的“AI”搭子已上线！[Your dazi buddy is already online]. Recuperado de https://m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_30037465
