Goa, May 3 -- A new trend in China, where individuals are creating AI replicas of their ex-partners, has sparked widespread debate around privacy and emotional well-being. The phenomenon involves users feeding chat histories, social media posts, and personal photographs into AI platforms to simulate conversations with former partners.

The trend is linked to a tool developed by Shanghai-based engineer Zhou Tianyi, initially designed for workplace productivity. However, users began adapting it for personal use, creating "AI exes" to cope with heartbreak. Some users have even paid small fees to install such features, with many claiming the experience offers emotional closure.

Supporters argue that interacting with AI versions of ex-partner...