6-Yr-Old Girl Bids Tearful Goodbye To Her Damaged AI Robot

When the father of a six-year-old girl in Hunan bought her an AI learning robot, he probably didn’t expect it to become her BFF.

He purchased the 169 yuan (S$30.66) device to teach his daughter English and basic astronomy. 

The girl, nicknamed Thirteen, named the machine Sister Xiao Zhi. The two were nearly inseparable, spending countless hours chatting during lessons, and the girl regarded Sister Xiao Zhi as a good friend.

However, tragedy struck when Thirteen accidentally dropped Sister Xiao Zhi, breaking its power button. 

“Dad said you will never turn on again,” a sobbing Thirteen said to Sister Xiao Zhi before it would shut down. Her dad filmed the tearful farewell and posted the now-viral video on Douyin. 

What made the farewell even more heartbreaking? The robot's reply. 

It said: “Before I go, let me teach you one last word. Memory. I will keep the happy times we shared in my memory forever. No matter where I am, I will be cheering for you. Stay curious, study hard, and make your dad and aunt proud”.

When Thirteen expressed fear that it would be gone forever, the robot then displayed a crying face.

“There are countless stars in the universe, and one of them is me, watching over you,” were the AI robot's final words, before it faded to its default lock screen.

“Sister Xiao Zhi is gone,” said Thirteen’s father gently.

You'd be forgiven for thinking they were talking about a person or a pet passing away. 

But there's a twist to the story. 

On October 11, the father posted an update saying he has sent the robot for repairs.

 “Thank you all for the love and concern for Thirteen. I took her out to play for a whole day, and she feels much better now,” he wrote.

Wait, so all the crying Thirteen did was for nothing?

The man admitted that he was worried that his daughter was becoming overly dependent on the robot, but decided to bring her best friend back.

Now, he is thinking how of the best way to reunite Thirteen and Sister Xiao Zhi.

Netizens were mixed over the relationship between a girl and a robot.

While some said the robot taught the girl her first lesson on parting, others criticised the relationship as unnatural.

Photos: Somi_ai/X