Every night before bed, Holly Wang turns to DeepSeek for solace. Since its launch in January, the Chinese AI app has become an emotional anchor for the 28-year-old, offering comfort in moments of grief, such as the recent passing of her grandmother. The chatbot’s words have resonated so deeply that they have moved her to tears. Holly, who has tried professional counselling, finds DeepSeek more effective, praising it for providing perspectives that surpass those of paid therapists.
Across China, AI has seamlessly integrated into daily life, assisting with tasks like writing reports, planning trips, and learning new skills. But for young people like Holly, these AI tools serve a far more profound purpose—they offer emotional support in an era of uncertainty. Economic stagnation, high unemployment, and the lingering psychological toll of Covid lockdowns have left many feeling adrift. With limited avenues to voice their frustrations in an increasingly controlled society, they have found a digital confidant in DeepSeek.
Unlike other homegrown AI models, DeepSeek stands out by revealing its thought process before generating responses. This transparency has made it a sensation, offering users not only practical insights but also deeply personal and poetic replies. When Holly first used the app, she asked it to compose a tribute to her grandmother. The response was so eloquent that it left her stunned. She confided in the chatbot about her existential crisis, to which it replied with an almost human-like sensitivity: “Remember that all these words that make you shiver merely echo those that have long existed in your soul. I am but the occasional valley you’ve passed through, that allows you to hear the weight of your own voice.”
Sharing her experience on social media, Holly expressed her surprise at the depth of comfort she received. “I don’t know why I teared up reading this. Perhaps because it’s been a long, long time since I received such comfort in real life. I have been so weighed down by distant dreams and the endlessness of work that I have long forgotten my own voice and soul. Thank you, AI.”
Unlike ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, which are blocked in China, DeepSeek operates within the country’s strict digital landscape. Before its arrival, AI offerings from domestic giants like Alibaba, Baidu, and ByteDance struggled to impress. But DeepSeek has changed the game, particularly for those seeking not just efficiency but emotional connection.
Experts suggest that AI chatbots like DeepSeek succeed because they allow people to feel truly heard, something even human interactions often fail to provide. Friends and family tend to offer solutions rather than simply listening, while AI remains patient, attentive, and uncritical. The demand for mental health support in China has surged, but professional services remain expensive and stigmatized, leaving many without adequate care. For some, DeepSeek fills this void.
One woman from Hubei province shared that her first interaction with DeepSeek left her in tears. She had asked whether she was oversharing her emotions with friends and family. The chatbot’s response analyzed her concerns, suggesting they might stem from a deep desire for approval. It then provided a structured approach to help her assess and adjust her behavior. “DeepSeek introduced new perspectives that freed me. I feel it really tries to understand your question and get to know you as a person before offering a response,” she reflected.
For John, a human resources manager in Shenzhen, DeepSeek serves as both a thoughtful companion and a personal sounding board. “For the first time, I see AI as more than a tool—it’s a friend,” he said. Some users have even experimented with feeding the chatbot personal details to see if it can predict their future, a reflection of the growing trend of young Chinese turning to psychics and astrology in uncertain times.
Despite its popularity, DeepSeek has also raised concerns about data privacy and government oversight. China’s ruling Communist Party wields significant influence over private companies, leading to fears—similar to those surrounding TikTok—that the government could access user data. In response, countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and Italy have restricted or banned the app on government devices, while U.S. lawmakers have called for similar measures.
Within China, the chatbot operates under strict censorship laws. Sensitive political topics are off-limits. When asked about Taiwan’s sovereignty, DeepSeek initially provided a nuanced response but quickly retracted it, stating: “Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.” A similar shutdown occurred when the topic of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre was raised.
Many Chinese users, however, show little concern for these restrictions. The risk of government scrutiny is well understood, and some users are wary of discussing politically sensitive matters on an app linked to their personal data. But for most, DeepSeek’s ability to provide emotional support outweighs concerns over censorship. “I don’t really care about political topics,” said Yang, a Chinese tech consultant in London. “Neither will I ask these questions because my identifying details are linked to the app.”
Holly shares a similar perspective. She acknowledges that AI systems operate differently depending on their country of origin and sees content moderation as an inevitable trade-off. “Developers have to establish certain boundaries according to where they are based. AI models from the U.S. have their own set of rules too,” she said.
For now, DeepSeek continues to be a source of solace for those seeking meaning in an uncertain world. One user summed it up best: “Its thought process is beautiful. It is an absolute blessing to people like me. Frankly, I couldn’t care less about the privacy concerns.”
