Chinese fortune-telling culture is a blend of tradition and modernity, reflecting the tradition and history. From Wong Tai Sin Temple to emerging fortune-telling studios, these folk beliefs are not only part of the cultural tradition of many Chinese people, but also attracting foreign tourists. These traditions are not merely relics of the past; they are living components of the cultural identity of China, serving as a bridge between generations and a source of comfort in an ever-changing world.

At the same time, AI big models, such as Deepseek are offering young enthusiasts an unprecedented opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries of birth dates, Bazi, and hexagrams. These digital divination platforms leverage the power of artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of data, providing users with personalized insights and predictions that are both intriguing and thought-provoking.

Wong Tai Sin Temple is an honored Taoist sanctuary steeped in over a century of history and profound cultural heritage. Established in 1921, it is located in Wong Tai Sin District, Kowloon East, spanning an area of approximately 18,000 square meters. Alongside the solemn Main Hall, it encompasses numerous structures, such as the Sam Shing Hall, Lin Pavilion, and the Nine-Dragon Wall, forming an imposing ensemble.

The industry of fortune-telling has been impacted by emerging technologies and social media. We interviewed fortune-tellers from the Wong Tai Sin temple about their observations of the evolving visitors, exploring whether social media and AI have influenced their situation.

The blind box figure Yang Wang picked with the help of AI — the one she was hoping for.

However, people use AI to do fortune-telling do not completely trust it. We met people stuck in moments – looking for guidance.
Sometimes it’s small stuff:
“Which blind box will get me the figure I want?” – to deeply personal: “Should I switch careers?” “Will this relationship work?”

Jinya Xia, a long-time user of AI fortune-telling tools, shared:“I think this is a self-consolation for me. If the feedback is relatively good, then one’s mindset will also improve.”

Many deep users expressed doubts about the accuracy of AI fortune-telling. While it’s fast and easy to access, the results often feel unreliable. Several users mentioned that it may give completely different answers. Compared to traditional in-person fortune-tellers, they said, AI simply doesn’t feel precise or trustworthy – especially when it comes to more serious, life-defining questions.

“I would think that offline fortune-telling is more reliable than AI fortune-telling, and so is its authenticity”, Jingya Xia said.

While AI fortune-telling makes spiritual advice more accessible than ever – removing the cost, time, and social barriers – this convenience comes with a hidden cost. Many users are out of curiosity, attracted by the ease of asking questions anytime, anywhere. But when the algorithm gives inconsistent or inaccurate answers, it not only hurt the tool’s credibility, it also risks chipping away at people’s belief in the idea of fortune-telling. “When it messes up,” Xia said, “it makes the whole thing feel like a joke.”

Still, the appeal is real. These tools offer what traditional fortune-tellers can’t: privacy, speed, and 24/7 availability. AI becomes a tiny, digital ritual – something that says, “You’re not alone.”

No one fully trust the machine. But most admitted: they’d keep using it. Not for truth, but for comfort.