DeepSeek, a Chinese generative AI chatbot, has gained widespread popularity, not just as a productivity tool but as an unexpected source of emotional support. Young people like Holly Wang, a 28-year-old from Guangzhou, have turned to the chatbot for comfort, with some even moved to tears by its responses.
Unlike other Chinese AI apps, DeepSeek has impressed users with its ability to generate creative and literary content, offering solace in a society where mental health services remain expensive and stigmatized. As China’s economic slowdown, high unemployment, and the lingering effects of Covid lockdowns contribute to growing anxiety among young people, many find AI more empathetic than human counselors.
Holly first used DeepSeek to write a tribute to her late grandmother. The chatbot’s poetic response left her deeply touched, making her realize how much she had been longing for emotional connection. Another user from Hubei province sought guidance on whether she was oversharing with family and was astonished by the chatbot’s thoughtful analysis of her self-perception.
DeepSeek’s appeal lies in its AI model, R1, which allows users to see its “thought process” before delivering responses. This transparency, combined with its ability to offer nuanced emotional support, has made it a preferred option over competitors from Alibaba, Baidu, and ByteDance.
However, concerns remain. DeepSeek, like other Chinese apps, censors politically sensitive topics. When questioned about Taiwan’s sovereignty or the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the chatbot either dodged the topic or redirected the conversation. Additionally, fears over data privacy have led countries like South Korea, Australia, and Italy to restrict its use.
Despite these concerns, many young Chinese prioritize emotional connection over privacy risks. For them, DeepSeek has become more than just an AI—it is a friend, a therapist, and a much-needed source of comfort in uncertain times.
