A new trend involving AI-generated avatars, known as 'Xiaohai,' has emerged on Chinese short-video platforms. These digital characters, designed to look like teenage boys in school uniforms, appear in videos sharing fabricated stories of extreme poverty and hardship. The avatars specifically target older women, addressing them as 'aunties' or 'mothers' to establish a sense of emotional intimacy before soliciting financial assistance.

These videos utilize sophisticated AI technology to mimic human emotion, including tearful performances, to manipulate viewers into sending money. The prevalence of these avatars has raised significant concerns regarding online safety and the exploitation of the elderly population. While the technology allows for the rapid creation of these personas, it also makes it difficult for viewers to distinguish between genuine pleas for help and automated scams. Reports indicate that these digital figures are being used as a tool for financial fraud, with scammers leveraging the emotional vulnerability of their target audience to secure savings. As the trend gains traction, there is growing pressure on social media platforms to improve their moderation efforts and detect AI-generated content that is being used for deceptive purposes.