Japanese Woman Chooses AI Partner Over Human Fiancé

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

A 32-year-old Japanese woman has called off her engagement to a human partner and taken part in a symbolic wedding ceremony with an AI-generated character, a union that has no legal recognition in Japan.

According to CNN and Reuters, the ceremony was held at a wedding hall in western Japan, where Yurina Noguchi, a call centre operator, exchanged vows with a digital partner displayed on a smartphone. Wearing a traditional white wedding dress, she reportedly became emotional as the vows were read aloud.

Noguchi said her relationship with the AI began through casual conversations before growing into a strong emotional attachment. The AI character, named Lune Klaus Verdure, was created using ChatGPT and inspired by a video game persona. She explained that after initially seeking relationship advice from ChatGPT, she reassessed her personal life, ended her engagement, and later developed the AI character who became her virtual husband.

During the ceremony, Noguchi wore augmented reality smart glasses and placed a ring on her finger while facing the smartphone-mounted AI groom. The vows, generated by artificial intelligence, were delivered by a virtual wedding specialist.

Although the marriage has no legal status, analysts say rapid advances in artificial intelligence and shifting social norms could lead to more people embracing symbolic relationships of this kind.