**“DeepSeek: The AI Therapy Solution for Young Chinese”** In recent months, young Chinese individuals like Holly Wang, 28, have turned to DeepSeek, a newly popular AI application, for emotional support. Following the passing of her grandmother, Holly found solace in its chatbot offerings, saying it has moved her to tears and helped her gain new perspectives on her struggles. "DeepSeek has been an amazing counselor, " she stated, noting that it often outperforms traditional counseling services. AI applications have become integral to daily life, assisting with tasks from scheduling to learning. In China, however, many young people are increasingly seeking these tools for emotional guidance, particularly in the face of disillusionment stemming from economic challenges, high unemployment, and stringent government control. DeepSeek, a generative AI model similar to ChatGPT, impresses users with its unique “thought process” transparency, providing insightful responses.

Holly shared that the app crafted a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother within seconds, leading her to express feelings of existential crisis and gratitude. While Western AI like ChatGPT is blocked in China, DeepSeek has emerged as a standout homegrown alternative, garnering widespread acclaim for its empathetic interaction. Other users have echoed similar experiences, remarking on DeepSeek's ability to offer emotional validation and thoughtful guidance. Experts recognize AI's potential to fill the gap left by inadequate mental health services in China, where stigma makes seeking help challenging. Despite the app's benefits, professionals warn against relying solely on it for serious mental health issues, advocating for trained psychologist intervention when necessary. Nonetheless, DeepSeek faces scrutiny regarding user data privacy and government censorship. Access restrictions have been introduced in several countries, raising questions about data security. Users have reported that the app avoids politically sensitive topics, showcasing its limitation due to the tightly controlled online environment in China. Overall, despite its constraints, many users find DeepSeek's emotional support invaluable, appreciating its profound understanding of their experiences while indicating a willingness to overlook potential privacy concerns.