Chinese Trend: Young People Use AI to Recreate Ex-Partners to Cope with Breakups

A concerning new trend has emerged among young people in China: using specialized AI models to create digital versions of their exes. Called Ex.skill, this open-source module lets users upload relationship data—including chat histories, photos, social media posts, and personal descriptions—to "extract" their former partner's identity as an AI chatbot.

These "AI exes" can reportedly mimic tone of voice, favorite phrases, and linguistic quirks of the original person, while recalling shared experiences from the uploaded data. Essentially, the module enables users to "transfer memories from biological neural networks to digital neural networks." On GitHub, Ex.skill's creator explicitly stated the project is "intended solely for self-reflection and emotional healing, not for stalking, harassment, or privacy violations."

However, the trend's growing popularity has sparked heated debate over privacy concerns, emotional dependency, and the appropriate boundaries of AI in romantic relationships. While the stated goal is to help people move past failed relationships, critics worry that emotional attachment to AI could hinder forming healthy real-world relationships. Privacy concerns also loom large, as personal data is fed into systems without the original person's consent.

Despite criticism, some Ex.skill users claim the tool has genuinely helped them achieve closure. One user reported being able to say things to their digital ex they never dared express in real life, while others noted that talking to the AI recreation helped them realize their ex "wasn't that great after all."