How China fell for a lobster: What an AI assistant tells us about Beijing's ambition

BBC News
April 5, 2026
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2 min read

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An AI assistant sparked a "raising lobsters" frenzy in China, with users training the tool.

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An AI agent in China initiated a trend of "raising lobsters" in March, leading to a frenzy among users who trained the tool for their specific needs. This phenomenon offers insight into Beijing's ambition regarding artificial intelligence development and its public reception. The widespread engagement with the AI assistant demonstrates the potential for rapid user adoption and customization of new technologies within China. The "raising lobsters" trend highlights how AI tools can quickly capture public imagination and be adapted for various user-driven applications.

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