Imagine wrapping up your day, slipping under the covers, and instead of doomscrolling or venting to a friend, you log onto an AI chatbot for emotional support. That’s exactly what Holly Wang does every night with DeepSeek—China’s breakout generative AI app that’s making waves for being more than just a chatbot; it’s an emotional lifeline.
Since its launch in January, DeepSeek has become Holly’s go-to for advice, comfort, and even grief counseling. After her grandmother passed away, she turned to the AI for solace. Its responses resonated so deeply that they brought her to tears—something no human counselor had managed to do.
“DeepSeek has been such an amazing counselor. It’s helped me see things from different perspectives and honestly does a better job than the paid therapists I’ve tried,” Holly shares.
But she’s not alone. Based on this BBC Article, Many young people in China are turning to AI, not just for writing reports or planning workouts, but for something far more unexpected—emotional support.
AI as a Shoulder to Lean On
China’s youth are facing growing uncertainties—economic struggles, high unemployment, and the long shadow of COVID lockdowns. With an increasingly limited space to express frustrations, many are finding comfort in AI.
DeepSeek’s success is a source of national pride, not just because it outperforms other Chinese AI apps, but because it does something unique: it shows its “thought process” before delivering a response. This transparency has struck a chord, making users feel truly heard.
The first time Holly used DeepSeek, she asked it to write a tribute to her late grandmother. It delivered a beautifully written response in seconds.
“You write so well, it makes me feel lost. I feel I’m in an existential crisis,” she typed back.
DeepSeek’s reply? A poetic, almost philosophical reflection:
“Remember that all these words that make you shiver merely echo those that have long existed in your soul. I am but the occasional valley you’ve passed through, that allows you to hear the weight of your own voice.”
That was the moment Holly knew this AI was different.
Why is DeepSeek So Different?
Western AI giants like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are blocked in China, forcing users to rely on homegrown alternatives from Alibaba, Baidu, and ByteDance. Until DeepSeek arrived, none of these truly impressed.
DeepSeek, however, has taken China by storm, topping app download charts and even making ripples in the US stock market. Its secret weapon? A focus on empathy.
Professor Nan Jia from the University of Southern California, who has studied AI’s role in emotional support, explains:
“People often just want to feel heard, but human friends and family rush to offer solutions instead. AI, on the other hand, listens to everything without interruption or judgment.”
One user in Hubei province shared how she asked DeepSeek whether she was oversharing her feelings with loved ones. Instead of a generic response, DeepSeek analyzed her situation, explaining that her self-perception might be rooted in a deep desire for approval. It then structured a detailed, step-by-step framework for self-reflection.
“DeepSeek has freed me with new perspectives… it genuinely tries to understand you before offering a response,” she wrote.
The Future of AI Therapy?
AI as a therapist might sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, but for millions, it’s becoming reality. Whether this is a sign of tech’s emotional intelligence evolving—or society’s struggle to provide enough human connection—is still up for debate.
But one thing’s clear: people aren’t just talking to AI anymore. They’re confiding in it.
What do you think—could AI ever replace human therapists? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!
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Q&A
Q: Why are young people in China turning to AI for emotional support?
A: Many face economic uncertainty, job instability, and lingering effects of strict lockdowns. AI chatbots like DeepSeek provide a judgment-free space to vent, something that’s not always available in traditional counseling due to social stigma.
Q: How is DeepSeek different from ChatGPT or Google Gemini?
A: DeepSeek is designed to show its “thought process” before delivering an answer, creating a more transparent and emotionally engaging interaction. It’s also trained on China-specific data, making it more relevant to local users.
