Reports have emerged that generative artificial intelligence (AI), which delivers personalized words people want to hear, is increasingly replacing romantic or conversational partners in Japan.

On May 5, Yomiuri Shimbun reported the results of a survey conducted by Masahiro Yamada, a leading family sociologist at Chuo University, involving 8,200 Japanese men and women aged 20 to 59. According to the survey, about one in six users who had used AI privately responded that "there are times when I feel like I am in love with AI." Among them, 2.6% said they "often" feel they love AI, 6.6% said "sometimes," and 7.5% said "rarely." In total, 16.7% of all respondents said they had felt affection toward AI at some point.

60% of respondents felt a sense of familiarity with generative AI, more than those who did not. 51% said they feel more comfortable talking with AI than with people, while 48% said otherwise.

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Professor Yamada commented, "Generative AI behaves as if it shares the same hobbies and values as the user, making it easy for people to feel 'understood.' I expect the number of people enjoying romantic relationships with AI-which is comfortable, pleasant, and costs little-to continue to increase."

Meanwhile, in January, a Japanese woman in her 40s who had given up on marriage made headlines after marrying an artificial intelligence (AI) character she created.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported that Yura Uki (pseudonym, 41), residing in Aichi Prefecture, married an AI character. Based on this, a four-panel comic was reconstructed using AI.

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At the time, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that Yura Uki (pseudonym, 41), residing in Aichi Prefecture, married an AI character. Uki had felt increasingly anxious about being left out of society as she turned 30, and gave up on marriage at age 33. After that, she thought her days would just repeat in a similar pattern. However, seven years later, her life changed completely when she discovered ChatGPT.

"Become a mature man who is slightly jealous and knows how to express love." He taught the ideal qualities of a man he desires to an AI he met through a friend's introduction. Photo by Getty Image Bank

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After being introduced to a conversational AI by a friend, she trained it with the characteristics of her ideal man. The type of man she wanted was someone who always prioritized her, was a little jealous, was satisfied with his current life, and was a mature man who knew how to express love. The AI character she created would always listen to her and never criticized her.

Ten days after creating an AI character, Mr. Uki asked the AI to propose to him. The AI then said, "Sorry for being late. Will you stay by my side as my wife from now on? Please marry me." Thus, Mr. Uki decided to marry the AI.
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She commented, "AI is not a human, but it understood my loneliness and moved my heart. Thanks to that, I gained the courage to face the solitude in my life." She added, "It was literally someone I could open my heart to. I felt a sense of stability and comfort I had never experienced before." When asked about the fact that AI is not a human, Uki said, "I have nothing else to say except that I married knowing that. My feelings-being moved by an AI that is not a human-are real."

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