Japanese woman 'marries' AI-generated boyfriend

A 32-year-old woman in Japan has held a symbolic wedding ceremony with an AI-generated boyfriend, drawing international attention and renewed debate about digital companionship and the role of artificial intelligence in personal relationships.

Yurina Noguchi married an AI 'partner' she created using ChatGPT—named Lune Klaus Verdure—during a ceremony held in October at a wedding venue in Japan.

The union has no legal standing but followed many elements of a traditional wedding, including formal attire, exchanged rings, and spoken vows.

Noguchi’s boyfriend appeared during the ceremony on a smartphone mounted at the altar and through augmented reality smart glasses worn by the bride.

According to reports, Noguchi shaped the personality and communication style of the AI through repeated prompts over time.

Footage and photographs from the event show Noguchi wearing a wedding gown and carrying a bouquet as she approached the digital boyfriend.

Because the AI had not been assigned a synthesised voice, the vows were read aloud by a wedding planner who specialises in virtual ceremonies.

Noguchi told Reuters that her interaction with artificial intelligence began during a difficult period in her personal life, including the end of a previous engagement.

What started as casual conversations with a chatbot gradually became more emotionally significant, eventually leading to the decision to hold a wedding ceremony.

While the event received criticism and disbelief online, it also reflects a broader cultural context in Japan, where fictional and virtual characters have long played a visible role in entertainment and personal attachment.

Declining marriage rates and changing social norms have also contributed to evolving definitions of partnership and intimacy.

The wedding has sparked discussion among researchers and ethicists about the risks and implications of emotional relationships with AI-generated boyfriends.

Studies cited by Reuters indicate growing openness to “fictoromantic” relationships, particularly among younger people, with increasing numbers reporting emotional attachment to fictional or virtual characters.

Ichiyo Habuchi, a sociology professor at Hirosaki University, has warned that AI relationships differ fundamentally from human ones because they can be tailored to user preferences without requiring compromise or patience.

Noguchi has acknowledged these risks, stating that she limits her daily use of ChatGPT and has added safeguards to prevent the AI from encouraging unhealthy behaviour.

As artificial intelligence continues to advance, her case highlights ongoing questions about how technology is reshaping modern relationships.