How DeepSeek Became a Predictor of China’s Youth Trends
The Rise of AI Fortune-Telling in China
Zhang took a deep breath, reflecting on a significant career shift. After leaving her secure position as a product manager at a leading tech firm, she embarked on a new venture—starting her own business. In this quest for clarity and guidance, she turned to DeepSeek, a powerful AI tool, marking a departure from her past reliance on traditional Chinese fortune tellers, who charged up to 500 RMB (about $70) per session.
Embracing AI for Spiritual Guidance
“I communicate with DeepSeek like it’s an oracle,” Zhang explains. She finds comfort in the AI’s ability to provide support for her spirituality and views it as a practical alternative to therapy, which is often stigmatized and difficult to access in China. “When I’m overwhelmed, it’s my go-to resource.”
Zhang’s experience is not unique; she is among a growing number of young individuals in China who utilize DeepSeek as a modern substitute for ancient practices. This AI has become a competitor to established names like OpenAI, and the interest is evident. In February 2025 alone, over 2 million mentions of “DeepSeek fortune-telling” appeared on WeChat, the country’s largest social media platform, as reported by WeChat Index, a tool for tracking trending topics in the app.
An AI Revolution in BaZi Practices
The increasing popularity of DeepSeek’s fortune-telling services coincides with rising anxiety among young Chinese. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic left youth unemployment hitting a staggering peak of 21% in June 2023. Although there was a slight recovery, the rate remained high at 16% by the end of 2024, coupled with the country’s slowest GDP growth in decades. Many young people now refer to themselves as the "last generation," expressing hesitance toward traditional commitments like marriage and parenthood amid an unpredictable future.
“During times of economic stagnation and high unemployment, engaging in spiritual practices offers a false sense of control and comfort,” states Ting Guo, an assistant professor in religious studies at Hong Kong Chinese University. However, Guo points out that in China’s secular environment, the exploration of religion and spirituality often shifts to private spheres. This shift has led many to seek spiritual solace through personal devices like computers and smartphones.
Discovering DeepSeek
Zhang first encountered DeepSeek in January 2025 when news of its launch spread across her WeChat feed. Driven by curiosity, she decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised. “Compared to other AI systems, it felt more fluid and almost human-like,” she recalls. As someone passionate about spirituality, she was eager to see how well it could interpret her fortune through BaZi.
BaZi, or the Four Pillars of Destiny, is a traditional system in Chinese fortune-telling that uses an individual’s birth date and time to map their destiny. This practice evaluates the balance of the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—within a person’s chart to provide insights into their career trajectory, relationships, and financial prospects. Historically, obtaining readings required the expertise of trained masters who could intricately weave together these elements into meaningful predictions. Replicating this nuanced artistry through AI posed a significant challenge.
The Future of Spirituality and AI
As more young people explore tools like DeepSeek, it seems that traditional practices are being revitalized in innovative ways. Users not only share AI-generated forecasts on social media but also experiment with crafting fortune-telling prompts and revisiting ancient texts. This revival demonstrates how technology can bridge the gap between past practices and contemporary life, providing a new avenue for exploration and understanding amidst challenging societal circumstances.
