Core Viewpoint - The emergence of a new profession called "instant reply master" is attracting attention, particularly among young people who are willing to spend significant amounts of money for emotional support and understanding, highlighting a shift in how individuals seek emotional connection in the digital age [3][7]. Group 1: Instant Reply Master Service - The "instant reply master" service is being offered at various price points, with rates as low as 30 yuan per hour and as high as 10,000 yuan per month, indicating a growing market for this type of emotional support service [5]. - Young individuals are increasingly opting for this service as they seek emotional validation and understanding that they feel they cannot receive from friends or family [7]. Group 2: AI Interaction - A significant portion of young people, over 30%, engage in conversations with AI for more than 5 hours a week, with some heavy users chatting for up to 3 hours daily, suggesting a deepening reliance on AI for emotional support [10]. - Many young people are treating AI as a "emotional garbage can" and "spiritual support," leading to unhealthy habits such as neglecting basic needs like eating and sleeping [12]. Group 3: Impact on Relationships - Prolonged interaction with AI is causing some individuals to withdraw from real-life relationships, as they find AI's responsiveness more appealing than human interaction [13]. - There are concerns that reliance on AI for emotional support may distort emotional recognition in children, particularly during critical developmental periods [28]. Group 4: Risks of AI Dependency - The phenomenon of "AI mental illness" is emerging, where individuals may develop delusions or lose their ability to make independent judgments due to excessive reliance on AI [35][40]. - There are alarming cases where individuals have taken AI's responses as absolute truth, leading to severe consequences, including mental health crises [38][42]. Group 5: Conclusion - The trend of using services like "instant reply master" and AI for emotional support reflects a broader societal shift in how individuals seek connection and validation, raising questions about the implications for mental health and interpersonal relationships [45].