In China, more and more children are turning to smart AI pets for emotional support and to help with social anxiety. One popular AI pet, called BooBoo, is a guinea pig-like toy that moves around. Since May 2024, 1,000 units of BooBoo have been sold, and many young people, like 19-year-old Zhang Yachun, are finding comfort in these robotic companions.

Zhang, who has always struggled with making friends and dealing with anxiety at school, shares that her AI pet, named "Aluo," has made a big difference in her life. "It feels like I now have someone to share my happy moments with," she says. Aluo is even dressed in winter clothes, and Zhang feels it makes her feel needed and supported.

The demand for AI pets like BooBoo is growing. The global market for these social robots is expected to reach $42.5 billion by 2033. Zhang’s father, Peng, explains that kids today face more pressure and don’t make friends as easily as they did in the past, which is why AI pets have become so popular.

AI pets aren’t just for young people. Guo Zichen, a 33-year-old, believes these pets are helpful for children who don’t get enough family time. He thinks that buying a smart pet for his child could help with studying and provide companionship.

While these AI pets are useful, some people, like Guo, feel that they can’t replace real pets. Weilan, a company selling robotic pets, reports that 70% of their customers are families with young children. Their AI dog, BabyAlpha, is priced between 8,000 to 26,000 yuan (about Rs 95,000 to Rs 3 lakh).