China trend of AI replicas of exes sparks debates about emotional cheating, attachment

Advocates claim that these AI exes offer emotional solace and aid in the process of overcoming past regrets

A growing trend in China allows young people dealing with break-ups to create digital replicas of their ex-partners using artificial intelligence.

These AI-powered “exes” can mimic their former partner’s tone, catchphrases and even subtle linguistic nuances, reviving long-lost relationships in a virtual format.

While this presents a novel approach to emotional healing, it has also sparked a broader debate on privacy, emotional dependency and the limits of technology in relationships.

To create a digital ex, users upload chat logs, social media posts, and photos to an AI platform, which then utilises a package called Ex-partner.skill to generate a basic version of the virtual ex-partner.

Users can further refine the replica by sharing personal memories – such as trips, eating habits, anniversaries and past arguments – gradually enhancing its personality.

The digital ex can reportedly engage in conversations using familiar tones and thought patterns.