A resident of Jiashan county, identified as Shi, has initiated legal action against an artificial intelligence company following a dispute over a burial date recommendation. After his mother passed away from a sudden illness in April, Shi, the youngest of five siblings, utilized an AI chatbot to determine an 'auspicious' date for her funeral. These dates are traditionally calculated using Chinese almanacs, which incorporate ancient beliefs regarding celestial movements and luck.

Shi alleges that he followed the chatbot’s suggestion, but subsequently experienced a series of family misfortunes that he attributes to the chosen date. While the specific nature of the 'misfortunes' or the legal basis for the claim against the AI provider has not been fully detailed in initial reports, the case has drawn attention due to the reliance on AI for sensitive, culturally significant decision-making. The lawsuit raises questions about the accountability of AI developers when users apply automated tools to traditional rituals that carry significant emotional and cultural weight. As of now, the AI firm has not publicly responded to the allegations, and the court proceedings are in their early stages. The case serves as a notable example of the friction between modern technology and deeply held traditional customs in China.