SocietyAI-generated boy’s hardship stories target older Chinese consumers

Chinese media report that a fictional AI character called Xiaohai uses fabricated stories of hardship on short-video platforms to win sympathy from older viewers and drive product sales. A 79-year-old man was reportedly stopped in Urumqi while preparing to travel to Shanxi to meet the nonexistent boy. A lawyer said operators could face legal liability and platforms have oversight duties.

AI-generated contentolder consumersshort-video platformsonline marketing

CChina News Service★★☆☆☆2026-10-23 07:16Original