An increasing number of people in Taiwan and China are turning to AI-based generative chatbots for psychological support. Among the users are young people who face difficulties accessing professional help and often feel stigmatized due to psychological issues. According to surveys, psychological support has become one of the leading reasons for using such chatbots, and social media is filled with positive feedback about their assistance.
In Taiwan, ChatGPT remains the most popular, while in China, users choose local counterparts like Ernie Bot from Baidu and DeepSeek. Users note accessibility, time and money savings, as well as confidentiality — chatbots are always ready to listen, regardless of the time of day or topic of conversation. This is especially significant for those who are not ready to discuss their experiences with loved ones or cannot afford to seek professional help.
At the same time, experts emphasize that the model cannot fully replace live communication and professional help, especially in complex or crisis situations. Specialists notice that chatbots can sometimes be overly positive, miss important signals, or delay seeking necessary medical assistance.
