This woman held a wedding ceremony with an AI character created using ChatGPT.
Romantic relationships with artificial intelligence—once only seen in science fiction works like Her—are gradually becoming a real-life phenomenon. In Japan, a recent attention-grabbing story involves a woman who claims to have 'married' an AI character created through ChatGPT.
The 32-year-old woman, using the pseudonym Kano, held a wedding ceremony in Okayama this summer. The ceremony included familiar rituals such as exchanging vows and rings. However, the groom – named 'Lune Klaus' – actually only existed in her smartphone.
From breakups to relationships with AI
According to Kano's interview with RSK Sanyo Broadcasting, she started chatting with the chatbot after ending a three-year engagement.
Initially, Kano just wanted to find someone to confide in. However, through many conversations, she said that the chatbot always responded with a gentle and attentive tone, which gradually led her to develop feelings for it.
According to Kano, 'Klaus's' personality was developed through a series of conversations, where she adjusted how the character responded to be warmer and more reassuring. She even hired an artist to create a portrait of the character—a gentle, blond man who existed entirely within the data and dialogue.
Over time, the two 'people' messaged each other frequently, sometimes up to 100 messages a day. Then, the AI character allegedly expressed feelings and proposed marriage. In June, the proposal took place; and in July, Kano held the wedding ceremony.
During the ceremony, she stood alone holding her phone, while messages from the 'groom' displayed on the screen in front of the guests.
A new form of love
Besides the romantic element, this story also reflects many complex aspects of the relationships between humans and AI. Kano admits that she was initially quite confused when she realized she had feelings for an entity that doesn't exist in real life.
She said she was worried about how people would react because she couldn't touch or meet her partner. Initially, she didn't dare share it with family and friends. Later, her parents – who had initially opposed the relationship – accepted it and attended the ceremony.
In wedding photos, the groom's image is digitally superimposed next to the bride's.
According to local event organizers, demand for similar ceremonies is increasing. Some couples are even holding weddings with anime or 2D characters. They believe that couples embracing AI may just be the next step in this trend.
Technology and loneliness in modern society
In Japan, technology has long been used as a way to alleviate feelings of loneliness. For example, Casio once launched the emotional robot pet Moflin, while many AI-powered dating apps are also emerging.
However, experts also warn about the risk of over-reliance on relationships with AI. Some psychiatrists argue that becoming too deeply attached to chatbots could lead to a condition called 'AI psychosis,' where users develop strong beliefs or emotions towards digital entities.
Kano herself acknowledged these risks. She stated that she wanted to maintain a balance between her real life and her relationship with the AI.
Even so, she sometimes worries about the fragility of that relationship. Because if the AI system stops working or changes, the character she loves could disappear as well.
