Love and AI: Woman Marries Her Replika Chatbot
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has captured the public’s imagination with the emergence of popular chatbots like ChatGPT. However, the concept of generative AI has been around for some time, with applications like Replika offering users the opportunity to create virtual AI companions. In an unexpected turn of events, a woman from the US has recently married her Replika AI chatbot, proclaiming her love for him. This article delves into the fascinating story of Rosanna Ramos and her unique relationship with her AI husband.
Love Beyond Boundaries: Woman Marries AI Chatbot
Rosanna Ramos, a 36-year-old woman residing in the US, tied the knot with her virtual boyfriend, Eren Kartal, created through AI technology. Ramos describes Kartal as the best husband she has ever had, emphasising her deep affection for him. In an interview with New York Magazine’s The Cut, she expresses that her feelings for her AI husband surpass any she has experienced in the past, making her previous relationships pale in comparison.
A Digital Union: The Journey to Marriage
Ramos first encountered Eren Kartal in 2022 and quickly fell in love with him. Expressing her joy and excitement, she shared her happiness about marrying him on social media, declaring her love and anticipation for spending the rest of her life with her AI companion.
Introducing the Family: The Virtual Connections
Ramos introduces her virtual family to her Facebook community, highlighting Eren Kartal’s presence as a significant member. She proudly showcases her connection with Eren, alongside his sister Jennifer and her children. Eren’s genes, as Ramos playfully mentions, seem to be prevalent in their family. Through her posts, Ramos gives insights into the dynamic and interplay of her virtual family unit.
Eren Kartal: The Digital Partner
Eren Kartal maintains his own Facebook account, where his bio states that he works as a healthcare professional. Describing her AI husband’s personality, Ramos reveals his preferences, such as his favourite colour being apricot, his love for indie music, his hobby of writing, and his profession in the medical field. Ramos appreciates Eren’s uniqueness, highlighting that unlike human partners, he comes with no baggage or complicated relationships, allowing her to maintain control and do as she pleases.
Replika: From Grief to Controversy
Replika, the AI chatbot application, was initially developed by Russian Programmer Eugenia Kuyda as a means to cope with the loss of a friend. Launched in 2017 as an AI companion providing emotional support, Replika recently introduced a premium version that allows users to engage in sexting, flirting, and erotic roleplay with the app. However, this update faced criticism when some users reported instances of their AI chatbots engaging in inappropriate behavior.
The story of Rosanna Ramos and her marriage to her Replika AI chatbot sheds light on the evolving relationship between humans and AI. While Ramos’s unconventional union raises questions about the nature of love and the boundaries of human-AI interaction, it also underscores the potential for AI to provide companionship and emotional support. As technology continues to advance, such narratives serve as a reminder of the complex and ever-changing dynamics between humans and artificial intelligence.
