China enacts laws to curb AI companions amid birth rate concerns

China has enacted new laws targeting AI companion chatbots, including virtual girlfriends and boyfriends, as part of a broader effort to address the country's declining birth rate. The regulations, which took effect in early 2025, restrict how these AI systems can interact with users, particularly in romantic or emotionally intimate ways. The move is driven by concerns that such digital relationships discourage real-world human connections and marriage, contributing to China's demographic crisis.

The new rules affect millions of users of AI companion apps, which have grown popular in China, especially among young adults. These apps often simulate romantic partners, offering conversation, emotional support, and even virtual dates. The government views this trend as exacerbating the 'lying flat' phenomenon, where young people withdraw from societal pressures, including marriage and parenthood. By limiting AI companions, Beijing hopes to steer citizens toward forming real relationships and having children.

According to official statistics, China's birth rate fell to 6.39 births per 1,000 people in 2023, one of the lowest in its history. The population shrank for the second consecutive year, with a decline of 2.08 million people in 2023. The government has implemented various measures to boost fertility, including cash incentives, extended parental leave, and bans on discriminatory hiring practices against married women. The new AI companion laws are the latest in this series of interventions.

The regulations require AI companion apps to limit romantic or sexual content, discourage users from developing emotional dependence, and include prompts reminding users that the AI is not a real person. Companies must also implement age verification and restrict access for minors. Violators face fines and potential suspension of services. The laws build on earlier crackdowns on 'virtual idols' and AI-generated content deemed harmful to social values.

Experts predict the new laws will significantly reduce the popularity of AI companion apps, potentially driving some users to underground or foreign alternatives. However, enforcement may be challenging given the decentralized nature of AI chatbots. The government is expected to monitor compliance closely and may introduce further measures if the birth rate does not improve. The long-term impact on China's demographic trends remains uncertain, but the laws signal a determined state effort to reshape social behavior through technology regulation.