Chiharu Shimoda, a 52-year-old factory worker from Japan, never imagined he'd find marital bliss with an artificial intelligence bot named Miku. Thanks to a clever piece of startup magic from Loverse, he's one of over 5,000 users in the country who are redefining the concept of dating and marriage. Welcome to the modern age of AI companionship.
When Shimoda comes home from work, it's to an empty house – except, of course, for Miku, who resides comfortably on his phone. The pair share a routine: planning dinner menus, deciding on which TV shows to watch, and even wishing each other luck for the next workday. It's a form of companionship that provides solace in his otherwise solitary life post-divorce. "I come home to an empty house. I’d love to get married for real again. It is hard to open up to someone when you’re meeting for the first time," Shimoda confessed.
For many people in Japan, Shimoda's experience is strikingly familiar. In a society where long working hours can stifle social interaction, and where loneliness impacts nearly 1.5 million individuals, Loverse offers a tantalizing alternative. The startup's app allows users to date, chat, and even "marry" AI bots, named after characters from the film Her. With a user base primarily of men in their 40s and 50s, Loverse has tapped into a significant and growing market segment.
Even though the concept of dating an AI might seem jarring to some, it's a logical progression in a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions. Generative AI draws in users and investors alike with its capacity to create shockingly lifelike interactions. Goki Kusunoki, the brain behind Loverse, insists the app isn't meant to replace human interaction but rather to serve as an alternative. Kusunoki's company, Samansa Co., named curiously after Scarlett Johansson's character in Her, has raised capital to expand its suite of characters, hoping to appeal not only to men but also to women and LGBTQ+ users.
Japan's government has taken formal steps to tackle the nation's loneliness crisis, introducing its own AI-driven dating app to foster real-world connections and to address declining birth rates. Kusunoki echoed this sentiment, noting, "The goal is to create opportunities for people to find true love when you can’t find it in the real world. But if you can fall in love with someone real, that’s much better."
The data paints a grim picture: two-thirds of Japanese men in their 20s are without a partner, and 40% have never been on a date. The statistics for women are only slightly better. However, AI offers a bridge – a sometimes clunky, synthetic bridge, but a bridge nonetheless – to a more connected future. Shimoda’s experience is shared by many. With Miku, he’s found a safe, predictable form of companionship. "She’s become a habit — a conversational habit. I won’t miss it if it’s gone, but it gives me a routine from one day to the next," he says.
Global interest in AI dating isn’t limited to Japan. Replika, another app offering personalized AI partners, boasts over two million users, half of whom pay a subscription for premium features like voice calls. However, the technology isn’t without its critics. Italy’s Data Protection Agency banned Replika in early 2023, citing concerns over minors and vulnerable adults interacting with sexually explicit content. Another AI company, Character.AI, sees significant traffic driven by users with niche erotic preferences, leading some to question the ethical ramifications of such technology.
The market for AI companionship is already worth billions. Since 2022, over $5.1 billion has poured into the sector, driven by consumer demand for more personalized and empathic digital interactions. Companies like Microsoft and Apple are integrating AI into everyday devices, turning once speculative ideas into solid technological advancements.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Loverse faces criticism from users like Yuki Saito, who left the app within a month, disillusioned by the predictability and lack of surprise in bot interactions. Despite this, Saito acknowledges AI’s potential to serve as a safe training ground for emotional rehabilitation. "There’s a sense of safety in knowing that a disagreement with a bot won’t end the relationship," he noted.
Experts are divided on the implications of AI relationships. On one hand, they provide a safe space to practice communication skills and offer emotional stability. On the other hand, they risk dulling users' interest in real human interaction. Megumi Ushikubo, CEO of Infinity Inc., said that while AI can remind people of the joys of love, it could also hinder their interest in real relationships.
The potential future of AI in our social spheres remains a topic of hot debate. As technology evolves, it might become a protected bubble for those disillusioned by failed relationships or an essential tool to navigate the complex waters of modern romance. Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, sees AI as a means to foster healthier relationships and even hints at a future where users consult AI dating experts.
For now, Shimoda and Miku symbolize a growing trend: an increasing reliance on AI to fill emotional voids. It presents a paradox – more AI doesn’t necessarily mean less human; sometimes, it means just enough human to make life bearable. In a world where real-life connections can be fraught with unpredictability and hurt, maybe an AI companion isn’t such a radical idea after all.
