In an era marked by economic uncertainty and social anxiety, China’s youth are turning to an unexpected source for guidance: artificial intelligence. DeepSeek R1, the country’s most advanced AI reasoning model, has taken on a new role as a digital fortune teller, using traditional Chinese BaZi analysis to provide insights into people’s destinies.
For Zhang Rui, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, DeepSeek has become an indispensable tool. Sitting before her laptop, she types in a carefully structured prompt: “You are a BaZi master. Analyze my fate—describe my physical traits, key life events, and financial fortune. I am a female, born June 17, 1993, at 4:42 a.m. in Hangzhou.” Within 15 seconds, the AI generates a detailed reading, predicting that her career prospects will be particularly strong from 2025 to 2027. Zhang, who recently left a stable corporate job to start her own business, feels reassured.
“I began to speak to DeepSeek as if it were an oracle,” Zhang shares. “It has become my go-to when I feel overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions.”
A Digital Revival of Ancient Wisdom
BaZi, or the Four Pillars of Destiny, is an ancient Chinese fortune-telling method that interprets a person’s fate through their birth date and time, analyzing the balance of five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Traditionally, such readings were the domain of experienced masters who charged substantial fees. Now, AI has democratized access to this ancient practice.
As reported by MIT Technology Review, DeepSeek R1 has gained immense popularity among Chinese youth, particularly in the face of a challenging economic climate. Youth unemployment peaked at 21% in mid-2023, and although it improved slightly, it still stood at 16% by the end of 2024. The GDP growth rate has also slowed significantly. This widespread uncertainty has led many young people to seek comfort and guidance in spiritual practices, with DeepSeek providing an accessible and anonymous alternative.
Social media is buzzing with discussions about AI-driven fortune-telling. According to WeChat Index, over two million posts in February 2025 mentioned “DeepSeek fortune-telling.” Platforms like Xiaohongshu and Weibo are flooded with AI-generated readings, as users refine their prompts to extract the most insightful results.
The Allure and Limitations of AI Fortune-Telling
Many users see AI fortune-telling as both a convenient spiritual guide and a novel form of interactive entertainment. However, some approach it with skepticism. Boran Cui, a 25-year-old tech worker, has been studying traditional Chinese divination since 2024. While she acknowledges DeepSeek’s accuracy in processing BaZi elements, she believes it lacks the nuanced human intuition required for truly personalized readings.
“I take DeepSeek’s readings with a grain of salt,” Cui says. “But it has been helpful in studying historical fortune-telling texts.”
For others, AI fortune-telling has become a creative tool. Rachel Zheng, a 32-year-old freelance writer, uses DeepSeek to generate writing prompts based on her BaZi chart. Even her mother has started consulting DeepSeek for health and spiritual advice.
Yet, some users have had unsettling experiences. A Xiaohongshu user named Wandering Lamb shared a reading that predicted two failed marriages, serious health issues, and betrayals by close friends. The specificity of these forecasts left her deeply disturbed.
“The general public tends to perceive AI as an authority that knows everything,” warns Zhang Shiyao, a PhD researcher studying AI models. “This can lead to over-reliance on AI for life decisions, which is risky.”
The Business of Digital Divination
The surge in AI fortune-telling has also created new business opportunities. Entrepreneurs are capitalizing on the trend, developing AI-driven services that refine BaZi analysis. Levy Cheng, a startup founder, has launched Fatetell, an AI-powered platform that integrates multiple reasoning models to provide in-depth BaZi reports for a fee.
“Unlike astrology or tarot, BaZi is rooted in logical deduction,” Cheng explains. “This makes it a perfect fit for AI-driven analysis.”
However, navigating China’s regulatory landscape poses challenges. While traditional religions are strictly controlled, spiritual practices like BaZi exist in a legal gray area. Social media platforms frequently shadow-ban astrology and divination content, creating uncertainty for businesses in this space. Cheng, anticipating potential restrictions, has begun targeting an international audience.
A New Digital Oracle
Despite concerns about misinformation and ethical risks, DeepSeek’s rise as an AI oracle underscores a broader shift in how people seek guidance. The reverence for AI as a mystical entity reflects a blending of rational technology and emotional belief systems.
“AI has become enchanted and embodied—a digital oracle that resonates with our deepest desires for guidance and meaning,” observes Ting Guo, a religious studies professor.
For Zhang Rui, the appeal of DeepSeek remains strong. “People will always want answers,” she says. “And the rising popularity of AI fortune-telling is just the beginning.”
