This picture taken on January 7, 2025 shows Zhang Yachun (R) talking to her AI-powered robot named Aluo at a cafe in Beijing. Zhang, 19, has long battled anxiety over school and work, and has struggled to form deep friendships with other people. But since buying a BooBoo -- a "smart pet" that uses artificial intelligence to interact with humans -- she says life has become easier. (Photo by Adek BERRY / AFP) / To go with 'CHINA-AI-SOCIETY-TECHNOLOGY, FOCUS' by Mary Yang, with Emily Wang in Nanjing (Photo by ADEK BERRY/AFP via Getty Images)