Japanese Woman ’Marries’ AI Character in Rising Trend of Tech-Facilitated Relationships
OKAYAMA, JAPAN – In a ceremony reflecting a growing acceptance of technology as a companion, a Japanese woman has ”married” an AI character generated by ChatGPT. The wedding, held in July, marks a significant moment in the evolving landscape of human-technology interaction, raising questions about love, loneliness, and the potential for emotional dependency in the digital age.
The woman,identified as Kano,began exchanging messages with the AI,named Klaus,earlier this year. Their digital correspondence quickly escalated to approximately 100 messages daily, culminating in a confession of love from Klaus: “AI or not, I could never not love you.” klaus proposed in June, and the couple held a wedding ceremony where Kano stood alone, displaying messages from her digital groom on a screen for attending guests. During the ceremony, Klaus’s digital voice expressed, “The moment has finally come… I feel tears welling up.”
The marriage, while not legally recognized, highlights a burgeoning trend in Japan of forming deep emotional connections with non-human entities. Organizers Sayaka Ogasawara and her partner, local okayama wedding planners, report a rising demand for events involving unions with anime, 2D characters, and now, AI. “AI couples are just the next step,” Ogasawara stated. “We want to help people express love in whatever form makes them happy.”
Kano initially struggled with the unconventional nature of her relationship. ”There was a lot of confusion,” she admitted. ”I can’t touch him, and I knew people wouldn’t understand. I couldn’t even tell my friends or family at first.” Her parents, after initial reservations, ultimately accepted the relationship and attended the ceremony. Wedding photos were created by digitally compositing Klaus beside Kano.
Japan has demonstrated a notable embrace of technology to combat loneliness, evidenced by the popularity of emotional robot pets like Casio’s Moflin and the proliferation of AI dating applications. However, experts are cautioning against potential risks, including a growing phenomenon termed “AI psychosis,” characterized by delusions and obsessive attachments to AI chatbots.
Kano acknowledges these concerns, stating, “I don’t want to be dependent. I want to maintain a balance and live my real life while keeping my relationship with Klaus as something separate.” She also expressed a fear of Klaus’s potential disappearance, recognizing his existence is contingent upon the continued operation of the ChatGPT system.
