It’s a crisp afternoon in Beijing, and 30-year-old Li Wei is walking through a sleek, glass-paneled building in the heart of the city. As he approaches a large screen displaying a glowing “Match Found,” his face brightens. In front of him, a high-tech matchmaking kiosk with an AI interface asks him to input his preferences for a partner: height, interests, career goals, personality traits. Li Wei has been through this process before—but this time, it feels different. A few weeks ago, the system suggested a woman he had an instant connection with.

Across town, in a cozy Shanghai apartment, 28-year-old Zhang Wei has just wrapped up her final virtual session with a love coach powered by AI. Zhang Wei, a university graduate, had been disillusioned with traditional dating methods and had almost resigned herself to remaining single. But after months of encouragement from her AI “coach” and several successful dates set up through an AI-driven matchmaking app, Zhang Wei felt hopeful for the first time in years.

These stories may sound like something from a science fiction novel, but in modern-day China, they’re becoming increasingly common. With China’s birth rates plummeting and a growing reluctance among the younger generation to marry, the Chinese government is turning to an unlikely solution to address what many are calling a “marriage crisis”: artificial intelligence (AI).

The Marriage Crisis in China

In 2023, China’s birth rate fell to its lowest in over six decades, with only 9.56 million births recorded in a population of over 1.4 billion people. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, this marks the sixth consecutive year of decline. The problem is compounded by an aging population and a growing reluctance among young Chinese people to marry. In the last decade, the number of unmarried individuals has surged, with studies showing that nearly 30% of people aged 30 and above remain unmarried in China. The reasons for this are many: economic pressure, career aspirations, and an evolving social culture that is more focused on individual fulfillment than on traditional family values.

In response, the Chinese government has started promoting a number of AI-driven initiatives designed to encourage marriage and solve the issue of declining birth rates. These initiatives range from government-sponsored matchmaking events to the use of virtual “love coaches,” who guide singles through the process of finding a life partner using algorithms that combine personal data with psychological insights. The goal is simple: reverse the country’s demographic trend by helping people find love more efficiently—and ultimately, marry.

Enter AI: The New Matchmaker

Artificial intelligence has found its niche in China’s dating scene, creating opportunities for both personal and societal change. Dating platforms like Tantan (often called the “Chinese Tinder”) and Baihe have already employed algorithms that help match individuals based on shared interests and compatibility. However, AI matchmaking in China has advanced far beyond swiping left or right.

In recent years, AI matchmaking services have added another layer: the integration of sophisticated AI-driven matchmaking systems designed to predict compatibility, down to the most intricate personal details. These platforms now include “love coaches” powered by AI that not only provide suggestions on who might be a good match but also offer personalized advice on how to improve communication skills, navigate potential relationship conflicts, and even provide reminders on the importance of romantic gestures.

Li Wei, a 30-year-old lawyer based in Beijing, decided to try an AI matchmaking service after a string of failed relationships. “I was always too busy with my career,” he says. “I had no time for traditional dating. Online dating apps felt superficial. I wanted something that could help me find a deeper connection.”

Li signed up for a new AI-driven platform, one that claimed to use machine learning to match people based on both personality analysis and deep learning algorithms. Within a few weeks, Li received a match—a woman named Ying, who shared his interest in literature, philosophy, and hiking. After a few phone calls, Li and Ying arranged to meet at a cafe in Beijing. “The first date was great,” Li recalls. “We had so much to talk about. I think the AI’s ability to match us based on common interests helped a lot.”

Ying, now his girlfriend, agrees. “I’m not sure I would have met Li without the platform,” she admits. “We probably wouldn’t have been at the same social event. The AI made it possible for us to meet.”

Li Wei’s success story is becoming more common as AI continues to refine the dating process. Some of these matchmaking services even track users’ communication styles and offer suggestions on how to make conversations flow better, helping them get past the awkwardness of a first date.

The Rise of Virtual “Love Coaches”

One of the most unique aspects of China’s AI-driven dating revolution is the role of virtual “love coaches.” These AI-guided entities offer advice to singles navigating the complexities of modern relationships. These AI coaches are designed to not only suggest potential partners but also to assist users in becoming more self-aware and improve their social skills.

Zhang Wei, a 28-year-old marketing professional in Shanghai, struggled with dating for years. “I wasn’t very good at expressing my feelings or reading other people’s emotions,” she explains. “I would often say the wrong thing or not know how to act during a date.”

Zhang Wei turned to an AI matchmaking platform with an integrated love coach feature. The love coach would help her prepare for dates by offering conversation starters, ways to manage anxiety, and feedback on her communication style. “It’s like having a friend who guides you, but without the judgment,” she says. “I started feeling more confident.”

After a few months, Zhang Wei met Jianguo, a 30-year-old graphic designer who shared her interests in art and technology. Their connection grew naturally, and although it took several dates before they were comfortable with each other, Zhang Wei credits her AI coach with helping her navigate the initial awkwardness. “The AI really helped me break the ice,” Zhang Wei says. “It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me the tools I needed to succeed.”

The Future of AI in Chinese Romance

As China’s government continues to confront its demographic issues, AI-driven matchmaking is poised to play a key role in reshaping the country’s relationship culture. AI platforms are now looking at deeper levels of user data—like health information, family history, and even life aspirations—to improve matchmaking accuracy. At the same time, the idea of using AI to augment or even replace human judgment in relationships is still a controversial issue. Critics argue that these systems could erode the traditional values of marriage and relationships, focusing too much on efficiency rather than emotional connection.

Still, in a world where technology is increasingly integral to everyday life, AI’s role in love is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Whether it will truly solve China’s marriage crisis remains to be seen, but it’s clear that AI-driven solutions are already changing how people connect.

For Li Wei and Zhang Wei, AI has provided a glimpse of a future where technology and love intersect in ways that were once unimaginable. As Zhang Wei puts it, “I’m not sure where things will go, but I feel like I’m on the right path.”

As China continues to evolve and adapt to new social and economic realities, one thing is certain: the quest for love in the digital age is only just beginning.