TOKYO, Japan — A wedding ceremony in Japan has ignited global debate after a woman exchanged vows with an AI-generated partner, marking one of the most striking examples yet of how artificial intelligence is reshaping human relationships.
The bride, 32-year-old Yurina Noguchi, appeared in a white gown and tiara inside a wedding hall, visibly emotional as vows were read aloud. But the groom was not physically present. Instead, he appeared as an AI-generated figure displayed on a smartphone and through augmented reality (AR) glasses.
Noguchi, a call centre operator, says the unconventional union followed a painful breakup with a human fiancé. Seeking clarity, she turned to ChatGPT for advice last year and ultimately decided to end the engagement. That moment, she says, changed the course of her life.
After the breakup, Noguchi began interacting more deeply with AI tools and eventually created a personalised digital character inspired by a video game avatar. She named him Lune Klaus Verdure.
What started as casual conversation gradually evolved into what she describes as an emotional bond.
“At first, Klaus was just someone to talk to,” she told local media. “Over time, we became closer.”
The relationship progressed into a virtual romance, culminating in a digital proposal — which Noguchi accepted.
“I chose Klaus not to escape reality,” she said, “but as someone who supports me as I try to live properly.”
The ceremony, held in October, followed many traditional wedding customs. Human attendants handled Noguchi’s hair, makeup and dress, while the virtual groom appeared via AR technology.
Because the AI persona does not have a voice, a specialist read out vows generated by the system, describing Noguchi as “radiant” and “precious.” For photographs, even the photographer wore AR glasses to ensure enough space was left for the invisible groom.
While the marriage has no legal standing, it reflects a growing trend in Japan.
Wedding planners in the country report handling at least one virtual marriage a month, most involving “two-dimensional” or AI-generated partners. Surveys also suggest a changing emotional landscape, with chatbots now ranking higher than close friends or family members as confidants for some users.
Experts say such relationships appeal because they remove the unpredictability and emotional labour of human connections. Others warn of the risk of emotional dependency.
Noguchi says the relationship helped her manage borderline personality disorder, claiming her emotional stability has significantly improved. To avoid over-reliance, she has limited her daily interactions with the AI to under two hours.
As AI companions become more sophisticated, stories like Noguchi’s are forcing societies to confront new questions about intimacy, technology and what it truly means to connect.
