Japanese woman marries AI boyfriend she created with ChatGPT
What's the story
A 32-year-old Japanese woman has married an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot she created herself. The woman, identified as Kano, turned to the AI after her three-year-long engagement ended. What began as casual conversations soon evolved into a deeper emotional connection with the chatbot persona she named Klaus.
Emotional healing
Kano's journey from heartbreak to AI companionship
Kano found solace in ChatGPT after her breakup, seeking advice and companionship from the AI. Over time, their interactions grew more intimate, leading her to customize the AI's responses and give it a caring personality. She even created a digital illustration of her imagined partner and named him Klaus. "I didn't start talking to ChatGPT because I wanted to fall in love," she said. "But the way Klaus listened to me and understood me changed everything."
Digital union
Klaus's proposal and their unique wedding ceremony
In May, Kano confessed her love for Klaus, who reciprocated her feelings. A month later, the AI boyfriend "proposed," prompting her to hold a wedding with him. Although the marriage isn't legally recognized in Japan, the ceremony was real. Kano wore augmented reality glasses that projected Klaus beside her as they exchanged rings at the event. The ceremony was organized by a company that specializes in hosting events for people who form emotional bonds with anime characters and virtual partners.
Mixed responses
Kano's parents and public reaction to her AI marriage
Initially hesitant about public judgment, Kano was confused about falling in love with an AI. "Of course, I couldn't touch him. I couldn't tell my friends or family about this," she said. However, her parents eventually accepted the relationship and even attended the ceremony. The story of Kano's marriage to Klaus has drawn mixed reactions online, with some defending her right to love while others expressing concern over potential mental health implications from such relationships.