{
  "id": 1604251,
  "title": "Chinese workers turn bosses into virtual pets for stress relief amid rising quirky trend",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/chinese-workers-turn-bosses-into-virtual-pets-for-stress-relief-amid",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-18T01:00:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3364350/chinese-workers-turn-bosses-virtual-pets-stress-relief-amid-rising-quirky-trend"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese workers are increasingly turning their bosses into virtual pets as a way to cope with workplace stress, according to a rising trend in the country. These virtual pets, or AI desktop pets, are readily available through AI applications that allow users to create customised digital companions based on their own likeness or that of their managers. The trend started gaining traction on messaging platforms in the early 2000s, with virtual pets roaming across screens and interacting with users. Recent advancements in AI technology have allowed these pets to become more sophisticated, with users able to customize both appearance and responses. One internet user, Jiuyuechushi, even created an AI desktop pet modeled after Elon Musk, complete with behaviours such as kowtowing, self-slapping, and serving tea. Users have also been able to program their virtual pets to express sentiments such as \"no more overtime\" or \"promotion and pay rise,\" or to recreate their relationships with disliked colleagues or friends. While providing stress relief, legal experts have expressed concerns that transforming real people into AI desktop pets could pose legal risks, as it may infringe upon portrait rights if done without consent, especially for derogatory purposes. However, for some users, AI desktop pets serve as emotional companions, providing comfort and a sense of presence for bereaved owners who have lost pets.",
  "summary": "AI desktop pets are gaining popularity in China, offering young workers an outlet for workplace frustration and providing bereaved owners with a digital means to preserve memories of their deceased pets. Virtual pets first emerged on messaging platforms in the early 2000s, roaming across screens and interacting with users as they browsed the web, chatted, or watched videos. Advancements in AI are…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SCMP Business",
        "title": "Several US billionaire investors reshuffle their Chinese technology stocks amid AI boom",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/several-us-billionaire-investors-reshuffle-their-chinese-technology",
        "published": "2026-08-18T03:00:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}