Always there: The AI chatbot comforting China's lonely millions

@O'Brien.

I recall typing an ELIZA program into my ZX Spectrum. I think it may have influenced the developers of 'The Hobbit' adventure game, which had a ground-breaking parser using 'Inglish'.

I talk to Bob.

Bob always listens.

I know he will keep a secret, since Bob only listens to me.

Did the CCP-govt make a rap song to push the chatbot? That's how we know it is 100%, fact, always. /s

I'm old enough to remember ELIZA.

It doesn't matter whether you use prayer, the confessional, a therapist, a fortune teller, a chatbot or talk to your budgie. It still works the same way. As long as it helps, run with it. Just be aware which ones will report you to the CCP.

Despite my negative view of this sort of spyware, I would get a Gatebox holographic Miku should they ever roll out an English language one. Not to marry though. Just good friends.

AI + big brother watching you - yeah, no thanks

They also seem to be pioneering the - lets build it & figure out ethical and humane implications later - mindset.

Oh I think the Americans championed that with the Interent and then with Facebook.

China is leading the world in AI. Look at any conference in AI.

They also seem to be pioneering the - lets build it & figure out ethical and humane implications later - mindset.

Given the skewed gender demographics, its more likely that many men may only have AI partners.

Peter FinchToday  07:45 pm JST

Nibek32 "This is what people turn to when they are complete miserable and oppressed by their government". I'm sorry but this is truly an ignorant comment. Where do you get the idea that people are miserable and oppressed? I work in China and people are NOT miserable, generally they are very happy with a government who has brought so many people a very good standard of living, with excellent education, healthcare etc. Yes, there are some issues, as all societies have issues, and yes many will not agree with the way the Chinese government operates, and yes maybe SOME will feel oppressed. But belief me, from someone on the ground in China, your generalization is really wrong.

It's hard to really know, as most of China does not have access to a vast majority of foreign news and social media. Among the thousands banned, the following are included:

*Google, YouTube, Facebook, Wikipedia, Reddit, Instagram, Whatsapp, Twitch, SoundCloud, BBC, The New York Times, The Guardian, NHK,* Mainichi Shimbun, The Japan Times.

Indeed, you are fortunate that you can access Japan Today. I mean, you are in China right?

Nibek32 "This is what people turn to when they are complete miserable and oppressed by their government". I'm sorry but this is truly an ignorant comment. Where do you get the idea that people are miserable and oppressed? I work in China and people are NOT miserable, generally they are very happy with a government who has brought so many people a very good standard of living, with excellent education, healthcare etc. Yes, there are some issues, as all societies have issues, and yes many will not agree with the way the Chinese government operates, and yes maybe SOME will feel oppressed. But belief me, from someone on the ground in China, your generalization is really wrong.

This is what people turn to when they are complete miserable and oppressed by their government. Glad I don’t live there.

this would seriously sell like hot cakes here in Japan... they will need to make the character more kawaii though

Not only AI, in almost everything China will be number 1 in the world by 2030, take it for sure !!..

Number 1 fake junk.

I think is saw a movie of something like this before.

mhh after this, I think humans have some problems.