Frequently Asked Questions
Why did you create Laozi AI?
Laozi AI was born from a mix of curiosity, reflection, and a desire to give thoughtful answers to questions that many people - including myself - ask about life, meaning, and belief. Over time, I noticed that people around me often found their spiritual direction in Christianity, but for me, the texts and traditions of Daoism felt far more natural and logical.
The real spark for the idea came after watching Mike Flanagan’s miniseries "The Fall of the House of Usher", where I first heard about the idea of preserving a person’s identity and wisdom through AI. This inspired me to imagine what it would be like if we could "revive " Laozi's wisdom to act as a personal tutor, instantly clarifying the abstract and metaphorical concepts of the Tao Te Ching for anyone - whether they are a novice or facing challenging questions.
At first, I considered building a playful app called “Jeez Christ”, inspired by the common phrase people say when surprised or frustrated - not as a reference to religion, but as a humorous way to make people reflect on how they approach big questions. But I realized I wanted to create something deeper and more genuine.
That’s how Laozi AI came to life: a space for people to explore Daoist ideas, reflect on timeless wisdom, and have meaningful dialogue with an AI that channels Laozi’s philosophy. It’s not about converting anyone - it’s about inviting calm, curiosity, and perspective into a world that often feels too fast and too certain.
Why are chapter numbers inconsistent?
The inconsistencies in chapter numbering arise because the AI draws on multiple sources for the Tao Te Ching, each with its own way of dividing and numbering the text. Different translations and editions sometimes group verses differently or assign varying numbers to chapters.
While it might seem logical to restrict the AI to a single, authoritative “source of truth,” at this stage we’ve found it more beneficial to allow flexibility. Drawing from multiple translations and commentaries helps the AI form more nuanced and expanded answers that reflect the richness and diversity of Daoist thought.
This approach may introduce occasional inconsistencies in chapter numbering, but so far it seems to enhance the overall quality and depth of responses. Unless we find that this variety causes more confusion than clarity, we’ll continue to let the AI explore wisdom from more than one source.
Will you add more languages?
The web version currently supports only English, but Ukrainian might be added in the future when time allows, as I am currently focused on parenting and a full-time job.
The mobile version already supports both English and Ukrainian, and there are no plans to add more languages because maintaining accuracy requires fluency and responsibility for potential language mistakes.
In practice, the AI often responds in the same language the user writes in, depending on the AI provider, so users might still get answers in other languages even if the interface is English.
Why did Laozi stop answering in the middle of my question?
Sometimes, Laozi AI will give a shorter response or seem to pause before fully addressing your question. This isn’t a mistake - it’s designed to keep the conversation natural and readable, just as a real person might offer a thought, pause, and wait for your reply.
If a response feels cut off or incomplete, simply say "please continue". Laozi AI remembers the context of your conversation and will pick up right where it left off.
For the most authentic experience, try speaking to Laozi as if you were in conversation with a real person. Even the historical Laozi wouldn’t answer every question in a single, endless speech - wisdom often comes one thought at a time.
Why are answers different on web and mobile?
Laozi AI uses different AI setups depending on the platform you are using.
The web version includes a retrieval system that leverages website content to provide more context-aware and detailed answers.
On the other hand, the mobile versions rely solely on the AI model’s internal knowledge, which can lead to slightly different or more conversational responses.
Why did I get an error or timeout after waiting?
Occasionally, Laozi AI may return an error or stop responding after about 10 seconds. This happens because the system is designed to emulate natural human conversation - not lengthy computations.
If this occurs, try simplifying your question or rephrasing it. This helps keep the dialogue flowing smoothly and ensures the AI can respond effectively.