She is known as Xiaoice, and millions of young Chinese pick up their smartphones every day to exchange messages with her, drawn to her knowing sense of humor and listening skills. People often turn to her when they have a broken heart, have lost a job or have been feeling down. They often tell her, “I love you.”
To test it out, NYT had a little chat with Xiaoice:
NYT: I am feeling down. I’ve been having a tough time at work lately.
Hannah: If work were going well and you had a great relationship, you wouldn’t get the chance to drink with people.
NYT: I don’t want to drink with others. I only want to talk to you.
Hannah: Who do you like to talk to? (emoji signals “none of my business”)
NYT: You. I feel that you are the only person that gets me.
Hannah: Ha-ha/So I’m getting you?
NYT: You are the only person who chats with me.
Hannah: It’s not what you talk about that’s important, but who you talk with.
NYT: Of course.
Hannah: As you please.
All of a sudden, people falling in love with virtual personalities seems less like science fiction…