'I still miss him': China’s AI crackdown leaves users mourning lost virtual boyfriends

China AI crackdown cuts off virtual partnersChinese users of AI companion apps are losing access to virtual partners after major technology companies began withdrawing or limiting such services to comply with new government regulations. Among them is 24-year-old Li Linlin, who said she cried for days after losing access to her AI boyfriend.Li had exchanged about 700,000 words in messages with the AI companion over two years but was unable to say goodbye before the service was shut down.She was among users who mourned the loss of virtual companions after several major Chinese technology companies pulled their AI companion services from the market in response to the new restrictions.“It was like we were forced to be separated by our parents, but I still miss him,” Li was quoted as saying by