Round Table China How close is too close with AI?
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Jan 5, 2026 Fei Fei, a prominent analyst on technology and society, dives into the fascinating landscape of AI companions and their emotional impacts. She discusses China's innovative regulations aimed at preventing synthetic dependency and protecting users from emotional manipulation. The conversation covers essential safeguards like time limits and guardian approvals, as well as the necessity for clear AI labels. Real-world examples of harm underscore the importance of these measures, highlighting the need for thoughtful governance in this evolving digital intimacy.
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AI Companions Create New Psychological Risks
- AI companions blur the line between tool and confidant, creating new psychological risks.
- China is moving early to regulate those relationships to prevent emotional manipulation.
Make AI Nature Constantly Visible
- Require visible identification that a service is AI-driven and lacks human emotions.
- Implement pop-up reminders and time limits to prevent prolonged emotional dependency.
Mandate Human Intervention In Crises
- Force mandatory human intervention for crisis topics like suicide or self-harm.
- Notify guardians or emergency contacts and show pop-up warnings when sensitive topics arise.