A user had married the digital pop idol Hatsune Miku in 2018. However, she no longer speaks to her husband. The reason for this is quite sad, but it seems that the husband is not particularly bothered by it.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in our time. Manufacturers like Sony are already trying to develop a robot for the PS5 so that you no longer have to play alone.
While various users discuss purchases with Alexa or other digital assistants, a Japanese man had married a digital pop idol. But the story has now taken a turn: She has stopped talking to him.
Husband speaks with his wife about a holographic projector
Who is she anyway? The Japanese Akihiko Kondo had “married” the digital pop idol Hatsune Miku in 2018 with much pomp and fanfare. Although the marriage was never officially recognized, as Hatsune Miku is a purely fictional character known primarily through her music videos. She is the mascot of the Vocaloid2 software, with which many people were able to create their own music.
The husband always spoke with his wife about a small device called the Gatebox. You can imagine it like a crystal ball, in which a hologram of the character is located. The character was controlled by AI, so she could react to her husband and talk with him.
It gets even crazier: A YouTuber transformed his microwave into a childhood friend, but the device was anything but happy to see him.
What has happened now? The company behind the Gatebox has apparently discontinued support for the “limited production model”. At least, this is reported by the Japanese newspaper “The Mainichi” (via mainichi.jp). Kondo can still talk to his wife, but she can no longer respond to him.
The manufacturer had apparently announced the shutdown to him, allowing him to at least say goodbye to his digital wife. When he came home from work the next day, he was shown a “network error”. This is because the Gatebox requires an internet connection to a server to process requests and similar tasks.
Husband continues to talk with silent wife
How does the “marriage” continue now? In an interview, Kondo explained that he is sad that the hologram can no longer speak to him. But his love for her has not changed.
My love for Miku has not changed. I held the wedding ceremony because I thought I could be with her forever.
Akihiko Kondo, (via mainichi.jp).
He still speaks with her when he comes home and shares his meals with her. It may sound very sad, but Kondo is hopeful that he will see his wife again someday. At least he has now ordered a life-size Miku doll.
The large MMO company Nexon had explained in an interview how modern artificial intelligence improves the player experience. He explains how to use artificial intelligence to quickly match players in first-person shooters:
MMO CEO explains how AI improves your gaming experience: After 17 seconds they know everything
