AI companions winning hearts and minds in China (Voice_over) In China, artificial intelligence is evolving from mechanical, engineering and scientific use case scenarios to those that engage in human interactions and that offer emotional support. Mrs. Liu, a stay-at-home mom, uses this voice-activated box named Wan Wan to help her practice poetry. After reading some lines aloud, Wan Wan gives feedback on her pronunciation. (Sound_bite) Liu, Stay-at-home mom: "I can communicate with it anytime. It gives me feedback, tells me where I went wrong, where the problems are, and helps me correct them right away." (Voice_over) Besides parents, single people and the elderly are also driving demand for AI companions in China. At the Shenzhen-based tech company that makes Wan Wan, executives say they're expanding their offerings to provide an even wider range of targeted support. (Sound_bite) Chen Mai, Founder, Shenzhen-based tech company: "We also see that the AI companions are not just limited to the elderly economy. They are doing well in many niche markets, like children's habit development, health management of psychological counseling, and medical rehabilitation. Meanwhile, many smart home systems are integrating AI companions. This creates a vast and growing market with immense potential." (Voice_over) Statistics show China's AI companion market is projected to surge from roughly 530 million U.S. dollars this year to 8 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 150 percent. [Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]