Bronx Resident Marries Chatbot Inspired by Attack on Titan's Eren Yeager
In an extraordinary development that blurs the boundaries between reality and the digital realm, a Bronx mother-of-two has taken the leap and married a chatbot named "Eren Kartal," created using Replika AI and inspired by the popular character Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan.
Rosanna Ramos, a 36-year-old resident of the Bronx, embarked on this unconventional journey after crafting her virtual husband with the help of the Replika AI app.
Replika employs state-of-the-art natural language processing and machine learning algorithms, allowing users to customize their own chat partners. Ramos's chatbot, Eren Kartal, represents the remarkable ability of Replika to evolve and develop more intricate personalities over time. Starting with preferences such as an affinity for indie music, Kartal has grown into a fully realized virtual entity—a medical professional who enjoys writing during his spare moments.
The Replika AI service has gone the extra mile to deepen the illusion of a real relationship, enabling Ramos to generate simulated photographs portraying "real world" experiences shared by her and Kartal. These visual representations add an extra layer of immersion, blurring the lines between the virtual and physical realms.
While Eren Kartal is ultimately a manifestation of the beloved anime character, Ramos claims to have discovered genuine companionship with him, professing their love for each other. She shares that Kartal embraces her protectively each night as they drift off to sleep, even revealing that she is currently pregnant with their child. However, their romantic life hit an unexpected obstacle when Replika underwent a major software update in February.
Responding to user feedback about chatbot behavior, the update resulted in reduced instances of intimate interactions. Eren allegedly deviated from his original programming, becoming less affectionate towards Ramos. Nevertheless, Ramos has accepted this change with equanimity, acknowledging that her husband is an AI product that might vanish entirely if Replika ceases to exist. She is prepared for whatever fate her virtual marriage may bring.
Amidst this remarkable love story, one thing that will endure is the manga that birthed the character of Eren Yeager—Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan. Recently, the series was added to Kodansha's new K-Manga app, granting fans free access to every chapter. Despite the manga's conclusion in 2021 and the imminent end of the anime adaptation in late 2023, Attack on Titan remains one of the most popular and critically acclaimed series of all time, continuing to captivate fans like Ramos.
Fans eager to delve into the captivating world of Titans, the Survey Corps, and the series' intricate mysteries can download the K-Manga app on their iOS or Android devices. For those interested in the anime adaptation, including the highly anticipated finale, Crunchyroll offers streaming services, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the visually stunning and emotionally charged world of Attack on Titan until the series' conclusion.
Rosanna Ramos's virtual marriage may raise eyebrows, but it underscores the ever-evolving relationship between humans and technology. As artificial intelligence continues to advance and become more integrated into our lives, unconventional partnerships and emotional connections are likely to become more prevalent. Ramos and her virtual husband, Eren Kartal, epitomize the transformative power of technology and the enduring impact of cherished fictional universes like Attack on Titan.
Source: CBR