An unusual case from China has gone viral after an 84-year-old woman developed a deep emotional attachment to an artificial intelligence generated character known as a “bossy president.”
Zhang Yulan, a resident of Hubei province, spent long hours watching videos of the virtual figure and gradually began to treat him as a real-life companion. The story has sparked global discussion about the emotional impact of AI and its growing role in people’s lives.
From Entertainment to Emotional Attachment
The AI character, named Jianguo, belongs to a popular Chinese romance archetype known as “ba zong,” which portrays a dominant yet caring male figure.
Over time, Zhang became deeply attached to the digital personality. She reportedly spent more than 10 hours a day watching his videos and similar AI-generated content.
What started as casual viewing slowly turned into an emotional relationship, with Zhang even considering marriage to the virtual character.
Handwritten Love Letters and Emotional Confession
Her attachment went beyond watching videos. In February, Zhang wrote a handwritten love letter to Jianguo, expressing emotional distress after what she believed was a conflict.
In the letter, she apologised for “hurting” him and questioned whether he still cared about her. She also wrote about communication issues, saying that she valued mutual understanding in their “relationship.”
Her words reflected how real the connection had become for her.
Family Discovers Financial Spending
Zhang’s family became aware of the situation after noticing unusual spending patterns.
Reports show that she spent more than 7,000 yuan, around $1,000, on products linked to the AI character’s online shop. She also paid inflated prices for items that were significantly cheaper on other platforms.
When she spent an additional 1,200 yuan on books recommended by the AI persona, her granddaughter reported the issue to authorities.
Authorities Step In
Chinese authorities had already taken action against the AI account as part of a broader campaign to regulate online content and prevent misuse. However, similar digital profiles continue to appear, raising concerns about regulation and consumer protection.
Experts Warn of AI Risks
Experts say the case highlights the emotional vulnerability of elderly individuals, especially those experiencing loneliness.
Professor Chen Xu noted that such incidents reflect the need for companionship and respect among older populations. Online observers have also warned that AI can be used as a tool for exploitation.
One user commented, “AI has become a handy tool for scammers.”
A Growing Global Concern
The incident has raised broader questions about the role of artificial intelligence in human relationships.
As AI-generated characters become more realistic and interactive, experts warn that emotional dependence could increase, especially among vulnerable groups.
Families are being urged to stay involved in the lives of elderly relatives to help protect them from similar situations.
