AI Fortune-Telling: Decoding China's Digital Destiny

In 2025, a fascinating trend is sweeping through China: AI fortune-telling. Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to gain insights into their futures. This phenomenon blends technology, tradition, and a touch of superstition, creating a unique cultural moment. This article explores this trend, its underlying causes, and its implications for Chinese society.

The term “玄学” (xuánxué), encompassing metaphysics, mysticism, and the occult, has gained significant traction in China. During the Spring Festival of 2025, hashtags related to AI fortune-telling went viral, with young people sharing their AI-generated readings. This resurgence of interest in traditional Chinese culture and metaphysics is intertwined with the latest tech craze: AI. The trend echoes earlier phenomena like electronic wooden fish and prayer bead bracelets, reflecting a desire for spiritual connection in the digital age.

Crystals, marketed with “healing properties,” have become a must-have item for young Chinese consumers. Celebrities are actively promoting and selling crystals through livestreaming sessions, with prices ranging from a few dollars to thousands. The appeal lies in the promise of healing, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. Crystal healing is marketed as a cure-all for various ailments, targeting women aged 18 to 35 who are focused on mental health and self-improvement. Celebrity endorsements and the narrative of “healing” resonate deeply with young people's anxieties and desires.

Beyond crystals, AI fortune-telling, particularly through platforms like DeepSeek, has become a viral sensation. During the 2025 Spring Festival, DeepSeek gained widespread recognition, leading to a surge in AI fortune-telling templates and services. Social media platforms are filled with users sharing their 八字 (Bāzì) – Eight Characters, a traditional Chinese astrology system – analyses generated by AI. Some entrepreneurs are even combining AI fortune-telling tools with market research and consumer behavior analysis, creating “AI Xuanxue Marketing.” This trend is inspiring young people to explore entrepreneurial ideas in “mystical” products like healing crystals and bracelets.

The allure of quick wealth has also entered the AI fortune-telling sphere. Articles highlight the potential of AI to predict lottery numbers, igniting young people’s desire to use AI for financial gain. The popularity of DeepSeek has led to new trends like online AI course sales, with stories circulating about individuals using AI to discover past lives or launch fortune-telling apps. This “cyber metaphysics” taps into the younger generation’s fascination with the mystical and the potential for financial rewards.

While AI fortune-telling gains traction, questions arise about its accuracy. Many apps, including DeepSeek, provide vague, positive information that fits most people, leveraging the Barnum effect. AI algorithms use formulas and knowledge bases to generate analyses and suggestions, simulating traditional fortune-telling logic. However, the technology expert says that AI is not necessarily accurate, it knows what users like and want to hear. Experts view AI fortune-telling as a UI/UX application layer, allowing individuals to create front-end apps and offer services through various platforms.

The popularity of AI fortune-telling stems from DeepSeek's viral success and the growing presence of AI in daily life. Large models have improved the user experience of fortune-telling software, making it more accessible and engaging. AI chatbots have made fortune-telling software “speak human,” offering natural dialogue and Q&A. Sharing results on social media has become a new form of social currency. However, young people are aware of the potential for “AI hallucinations” and do not blindly trust AI predictions.

The trend of AI fortune-telling in China reflects a complex interplay of technology, tradition, and societal pressures. As young people navigate uncertainties in their careers, relationships, and health, AI fortune-telling offers a seemingly scientific and fun way to seek answers and emotional comfort. While the accuracy of AI predictions remains debatable, the phenomenon highlights the growing influence of AI in shaping cultural trends and entrepreneurial ventures in China. The future will likely see further integration of AI into various aspects of life, including the realm of metaphysics and personal guidance.