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Each night before bed, Holly Wang turns to DeepSeek for comfort. The 28-year-old began using the Chinese AI app in January, soon after its launch. Since then, she has shared her deepest thoughts, including grief over her grandmother’s passing. The chatbot’s responses have been so touching that they have sometimes brought her to tears.

“DeepSeek has been an incredible counselor. It helps me see things from different angles and does a better job than paid therapy services,” Holly says. She requested anonymity to protect her privacy.

AI-powered apps are now part of daily life, assisting with writing reports, planning trips, and learning new skills. However, in China, young people are discovering another unexpected use—seeking emotional support from AI.

DeepSeek has become a source of comfort for many. With China facing economic struggles, high unemployment, and strict government controls, young people feel uncertain about the future. Many find it hard to express their frustrations openly, turning to AI instead.

DeepSeek: A Digital Companion

DeepSeek, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, is a generative AI trained on vast amounts of data. It recognizes patterns, predicts shopping habits, generates text and images, and holds human-like conversations. What sets it apart from other Chinese AI apps is its ability to show its “thought process” before responding.

Holly’s first interaction with DeepSeek was to ask it to write a tribute for her late grandmother. Within seconds, the app generated a beautifully composed response.

Feeling overwhelmed, she replied, “You write so well, I feel lost. I think I’m in an existential crisis.”

DeepSeek responded with a poetic line: “The words that move you echo those that have always existed in your soul. I am but the valley you pass through, allowing you to hear the weight of your own voice.”

Holly shared this exchange on RedNote, a popular Chinese social platform. “I don’t know why I teared up. Maybe because I haven’t felt such comfort in real life for a long time. I’ve been so burdened by distant dreams and endless work that I forgot my own voice and soul. Thank you, AI.”

Western AI apps like ChatGPT and Gemini are blocked in China, making them accessible only through VPNs. Chinese alternatives have struggled to match their Western counterparts—until DeepSeek.

Holly, who works in the creative industry, rarely uses other Chinese AI apps. “They just aren’t that great,” she says. “DeepSeek is far superior in generating literary and creative content.”

AI’s Role in Emotional Well-Being

Nan Jia, a professor at the University of Southern California, co-authored a study on AI’s potential for emotional support. She explains that AI can “help people feel heard” in ways humans sometimes don’t.

“Friends and family often rush to offer solutions when people just want to be understood,” she says. “AI listens to everything, unlike humans who sometimes make us wonder, ‘Are you really listening?’”

A woman from Hubei shared her own experience with DeepSeek on RedNote. She initially asked if she was oversharing her emotions with family and friends. DeepSeek’s thought process suggested that her concern might stem from a deep need for validation.

“It was my first time seeking counsel from DeepSeek. When I read its reasoning, I felt so moved that I cried,” she wrote. The chatbot then gave itself a mental note: “Response should offer practical advice while being empathetic.” It followed up with a step-by-step guide to help her assess whether she needed to change her behavior.

“DeepSeek introduced new perspectives that freed me,” she says. “It really tries to understand your question and who you are before responding.”

John, an HR manager in Shenzhen, appreciates how the app “converses like a friend or deep thinker.” He finds its insights helpful and inspiring, calling it his “personal sounding board.”

Many users also claim DeepSeek can predict fortunes based on the background information provided. As interest in psychics and astrology grows among young Chinese, AI is emerging as another way to ease fears about the future.

AI and Censorship in China

China faces a shortage of professional mental health services, and existing options are often expensive. Studies show rising rates of depression and anxiety, worsened by economic struggles and the effects of Covid lockdowns. AI chatbots help bridge this gap, but experts warn they cannot replace professional help for serious mental health conditions.

While DeepSeek is praised for its emotional support, it has also raised concerns about privacy and censorship. The Chinese government has influence over private companies, leading to fears that authorities could access user data. Several countries, including South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and Italy, have restricted DeepSeek’s use on government devices.

DeepSeek also operates within China’s strict censorship framework. Topics deemed politically sensitive are off-limits. When asked if Taiwan is a sovereign nation, DeepSeek initially offered a nuanced response but then erased it, stating: “Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.”

When questioned about the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, DeepSeek again declined to respond. Several users stopped communicating with the BBC when asked if this self-censorship was concerning—highlighting the sensitivity of such discussions in China.

Chinese authorities have punished individuals for their online activities. Yet, many users remain unconcerned about DeepSeek’s censorship. “I don’t care about political topics,” says Yang, a Chinese tech consultant in London. “I also won’t ask those questions because my details are linked to the app.”

Holly acknowledges that AI systems must follow different rules depending on their country. “Developers must set boundaries and content moderation policies based on their location. AI in the U.S. has its own rules, too.”

Another user dismisses privacy worries altogether, writing: “DeepSeek’s thought process is beautiful. It is an absolute blessing. Frankly, I don’t care about the privacy concerns.”

DeepSeek is changing how young people in China seek emotional support. Whether viewed as a comforting friend or a potential privacy risk, its role in modern life continues to grow.

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