'AI Grandsons' Who Cook Dinner And Spread Joy Are Captivating Lonely Grandmothers In China
The trend gained traction during the Lunar New Year.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 27 Feb 2025, 04:05 PM
Grandmothers in China are finding themselves captivated by a new digital phenomenon: 'AI grandsons'
These chubby, cheerful virtual toddlers — often dressed in festive red attire — have become an unexpected source of joy and companionship for older generations, according to the South China Morning Post.
The trend gained traction during the Lunar New Year, as returning family members found their elderly relatives engrossed in videos of these AI-generated babies.
In the video clips, the AI grandsons perform incredible feats — effortlessly lifting whole roasted pigs, confidently wielding chopsticks to devour bowls of noodles, and even preparing elaborate home-cooked meals
To the grandmothers, these aren't just pixels on a screen; they’re endearing, almost lifelike additions to their family gatherings.
While younger viewers are quick to spot digital inconsistencies — the peculiar way a toddler grips a bowl or the sudden appearance of a rogue chopstick — grandmothers remain blissfully convinced.
"Look how well he eats! He’s so young and already using chopsticks," one woman marvelled in a viral clip.
Attempts to explain that these videos are AI-generated often lead to exasperated responses: "Fake? But look how adorable he is! You must be the fake one!"
The Internet has largely embraced the phenomenon with a mix of amusement and empathy.
Many see it as a harmless form of entertainment, a way for elderly individuals to experience the warmth of youthful energy, even if it’s AI-generated.
Some even predict a future where these digital babies evolve into full-fledged influencers, seamlessly marketing products to an audience that already adores them.
