Older adults increasingly consume AI-generated content that offers comfort and companionship, even as younger generations watch more humorous, low-effort videos. A retired businessman from Taiwan recently shared videos with a family friend that brought him to tears, illustrating how generative AI is filling a gap in emotional support for seniors. The content ranges from personalized music videos to virtual family members who send daily blessings, creating a connection that resonates deeply with users facing loneliness.
A virtual family for lonely seniors
On Chinese social media platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, users find solace in “AI family” videos. These digital avatars, often chubby babies or handsome adult sons, perform songs and send virtual roses. One viewer told researchers that these videos addressed life experiences her own children could not understand. The avatars express love directly—a rarity in traditional family trends—and discuss health and history, using folk music soundtracks familiar to the older generation.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore reviewed over 200 of these videos and interviewed 16 users aged 50 to 75. The viewers acknowledge the technology is artificial, yet they value the interaction. Some viewers have even purchased products from operators of AI influencers. “They know it’s AI,” a researcher noted. “But the joy and companionship it brings is real.”
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This trend reflects a broader demographic reality. Many economies face fast-aging populations and a shortage of caregivers. Seniors require not just healthcare, but also entertainment and social interaction. AI tools like robot dolls and smart speakers are already being deployed in South Korea and the U.S. to assist with daily living, but the emotional appeal of digital family members suggests a growing market for companionship technology.
For many in this demographic, the line between reality and simulation has blurred in a way that feels genuinely beneficial. The technology provides a space where affection is constant and understanding is seemingly effortless. This utility drives adoption regardless of the medium’s origins. One viewer explained that AI content had touched on experiences from her youth that her actual children, who hadn’t lived through the same history, could not relate to. The videos also use soundtracks of folk music familiar to the older generation, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the emotional impact.
Many economies are grappling with a fast-aging population and a shortage of caregivers. Seniors need not only food and healthcare but also entertainment and companionship. AI could expand the elderly care options, with products like AI robot dolls and smart speakers already being deployed for seniors in South Korea and the U.S. Older people are consuming these AI products not because they are more credulous but because they find AI to be genuinely helpful and fun. In a way, it’s similar to young people finding inspiration in pop stars or seeking virtual relationships through otome romance-simulation games.