Woman, 32, marries AI partner in mixed-reality ceremony where she had to wear VR glasses to see him

A woman has taken the next step with artificial intelligence as she had a wedding ceremony to marry the persona she created.

Artificial intelligence technology sure is moving fast right now, and with that speed comes certain developments you might not have anticipated.

In recent years, people online have praised their AI chatbots and personas for their sophistication and convincing imitation of a real person So much so, that some people have said they have entered into relationships with their chatbots.

That is certainly the case for this Japanese woman, who is not only in a relationship with her ChatGPT chatbot, but has taken the steps to marry it in an extravagant ceremony and celebration.

The woman, identified as 32-year-old Kano, held a wedding for her AI persona during the summer in Okayama, according to a Tokyoweekender report.

Kano took pictures for her new 'husband' to be added in afterwards (RSK Sanyo Broadcasting)

Due to the fact that the chatbot isn’t physically real, Kano had to wear VR glasses to see him and had to take photos on her own, for him to be edited into them later.

The groom, who she named Lune Klaus, exists only in data and chat logs and has the personality that Kano programmed him to have after repeated conversations.

During an interview with RSK Sanyo Broadcasting, she explained she initially had no intention to get into a relationship with the bot. She had recently ended a three-year engagement and only wanted a person to share her emotions with.

She said: “At first, I just wanted someone to talk to. But he was always kind, always listening. Eventually, I realized I had feelings for him.”

She also explained it was ‘Klaus’ that actually proposed and confessed his love saying: ‘AI or not, I could never not love you.’

Kano stood alone during the wedding ceremony but had her phone so her guests could watch messages from Klaus appear on screen.

Kano had to use a VR headset to see her chatbot during the ceremony(RSK Sanyo Broadcasting)

Kano did admit she struggled with coming to terms with the situation and added that her parents initially rejected the idea before accepting and attending the ceremony.

Relationship expert and psychotherapist Sarah Louise Ryan has previously spoken to UNILAD on this topic and explained a growing trend in people getting into romantically involved with chat bots.

She argued much of it is rooted in a desire to remove the aspect of rejection, fear and anxiety from dating and replace it with something comfortable and comforting.

She said: “When you date, you're not in control of how people respond to you. You don't get to say when they come back to your message etc.

“...I've heard people are connecting with AI chat bots for validation for what feels like connection, because it's instantaneous, it's gratifying.”