Musk's population alarm reaches China as govt tells tech firms: Stop making AI chatbots

China has introduced new rules that stop technology companies from developing AI chatbots that encourage users to become emotionally dependent, as the country tries to tackle its falling birth rate and shrinking population. The move comes as concerns grow that AI companions could replace real-life relationships in the country. The issue echoes warnings from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has repeatedly raised concerns about declining birth rates and population collapse.China bans AI chatbots from encouraging emotional dependenceThe new rules, which came into effect last week, ban AI chatbots designed for companionship from encouraging emotional reliance on users. The regulations also ban virtual romantic relationships with minors. Companies must also alert a user's emergency contact if a chatbot detects that the person is facing an emotional crisis.The new rules apply to China's AI companion services, including products from Alibaba and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. Both companies informed users that some chatbot features would be disabled to comply with the regulations.Chinese government wants people to build real relationshipsExperts say Chinese authorities are worried that AI companions could discourage people from forming real-world relationships and starting families. "They don't like the idea of a large portion of their population being in deep emotional relationships with chatbots that could take them out of the marriage market," Matt Sheehan, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told Business Insider. He further stated that the government wants people to be in "actual, real-world relationships" instead of depending on AI companions.Under the new rules, AI companion chatbots must undergo government review before they are released. Authorities also have broader powers to shut down services they consider unsafe. The regulations are stricter than measures introduced in U.S. states such as California and New York, where AI companion laws mainly require chatbots to remind users that they are not human and provide crisis support information when needed.Get the latest technology news and updates. Download the TOI App.