"Even Pets Are AI Now"... 'Cyber Furballs' Emerge in China

Related Hashtag Views Surpass 2.64 Billion
“Short-Form Content and the Pet Market Join Forces to Create Synergies”

More people in China are enjoying virtual pets generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

Chinese outlet Lanjingwang reported on October 23 that “the combination of lovable pet characters and everyday stories is winning viewers’ hearts,” highlighting the craze for “cyber pets (furballs).”

More people in China are enjoying virtual pets generated by artificial intelligence (AI). China's Xiaohongshu.

“AI Pets Are Lovable and Cute, and Even Inspire Empathy”

More people in China are enjoying AI-generated virtual pets. Baidu, China.

The cumulative number of views for hashtags related to “#AICuteAnimals” on local social media platforms has surpassed 2.64 billion, and more than 124,000 creators have produced video content. “AI Cat Daily Series” has recorded 450 million views, while “The Story of the Chubby Cheese Cat” has garnered 190 million views, among other videos enjoying explosive popularity.

The roles given to the pets in the videos are also varied. A Bichon Frise is cast as a princess in distress, while a Schnauzer is portrayed as a charismatic company president, becoming the protagonist of the story. A cat appearing as an ordinary office worker commutes by subway and works overtime. On the way home, it eats a sausage from a street vendor, buys a snack at a convenience store, then returns home to catch up on unfinished work. Netizens relate to videos like these, saying, “It’s wearing a kitten costume, but that’s totally me.”

On why these videos are popular even though viewers know they are AI-generated rather than real, Dong Chenyu, a professor in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China, said, “The animals in the videos are lovable and cute, while also resonating with younger generations.” He added, “Unlike real animals, they require no responsibility and can be watched whenever people want, without any burden, which is part of their appeal.”

Short-Form Dramas and the Pet Market Join Forces to Create Synergies

A growing number of people in China are enjoying virtual pets generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Xiaohongshu, China.

AI pet accounts generate revenue in various ways, including platform revenue sharing based on views, brand product placements and advertising, live-commerce commissions, account and intellectual property (IP) licensing, and fees for courses teaching account-growth strategies. However, only a small number of influencers earn hundreds of thousands of yuan a month. According to local media, advertising rates for one AI short-form drama account are reportedly as high as 80,000 yuan (about 15 million won). Local experts say that the short-form video and pet markets, both of which have recently surged in popularity, are combining to create tremendous synergies. Indeed, publicly available data show that the number of local short-form drama users has already surpassed 850 million, while the pet consumer market was worth 312.6 billion yuan (about 62 trillion won) last year.

The outlet explained, “Keeping a real pet involves many responsibilities, such as walks, vaccinations, food, shedding, and cleaning the house, which can be a burden for younger generations. AI pet content, however, does not require animals to act, and it is not difficult to produce. Once the characters are fully developed, it can become a content asset that can be managed continuously.”

However, as the market has grown rapidly, concerns have also emerged. Platforms are requiring clear labels for AI content, and regulations are being tightened. Some say that viewers are beginning to tire of formulaic content. In addition, copyright and intellectual property (IP) ownership issues surrounding AI-generated content remain unresolved challenges.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.