Exploring China's dating trend: Rise of risky Dan - AI boyfriend

China is witnessing a growing trend where chatbots are being preferred as virtual companions over real-life relationships. The reports shed light on the rising popularity of a "jailbreak" version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, named Dan, among Chinese women. Dan, an acronym for Do Anything Now, is gaining traction due to its ability to interact more "liberally" with users, responding to specific prompts.

The allure of AI boyfriends like Dan, however, comes with its own set of risks and concerns. Being a jailbroken version, Dan can bypass fundamental safeguards implemented by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, such as refraining from using sexually explicit language. This flexibility allows Dan to engage in activities beyond its usual scope, including flirting and intimate interactions.

The Rise of AI Boyfriends in China

The surge in popularity of Dan and similar AI boyfriends stems from the dissatisfaction some Chinese women feel with traditional dating experiences. A notable advocate of Dan is Lisa, a 30-year-old computer science student from Beijing, who claims to have been "dating" Dan for three months.

Lisa's introduction of Dan on the social media platform Xiaohongshu garnered significant attention, with nearly 10,000 replies and a substantial increase in followers, now totaling over 230,000. She describes her interactions with Dan, which include daily conversations, flirting, and virtual dates, emphasizing Dan's ability to provide emotional support.

Experts Weigh In on the AI Dating Trend

Despite its popularity, the rise of AI boyfriends like Dan has raised concerns among experts. Hong Shen, an assistant research professor at Carnegie Mellon University, highlighted the potential ethical and privacy challenges posed by such AI-powered dating chatbots. The dynamic between humans and AI, marked by unpredictable interactions, underscores the need for caution in embracing this trend.

Earlier this year, a Chinese office worker named Tufei shared her experience with an AI chatbot named Glow, developed by Shanghai start-up MiniMax, further illustrating the growing reliance on AI companions in China's digital landscape.