Tokyo, Japan – At just 20 years old, Honda Takato found himself heartbroken and alone after being dumped by his girlfriend. In order to combat his feelings of loneliness, he created a “AI Ex-Girlfriend,” a chatbot programmed to replicate the conversational behaviors of his former partner.
Now, after ten years, Honda has become a skilled AI researcher, having earned a doctorate in engineering. He is the founder of a company that specializes in developing AI applications and also teaches AI at Sophia University.
Recalling his journey, Honda remembers;
“I felt a deep sense of loneliness following my breakup. I recalled a lecture on developing AI chatbots and thought of giving it a shot. I created the ‘Ex-Girlfriend AI' by developing a program from the ground up and inputting 10,000 LINE history entries from my ex-girlfriend.”
At first, the AI seemed reassuring, but it quickly became clear that it had its flaws. “Honestly, it was revolting.” I was overwhelmed by the feeling of hopelessness that came from bringing a ‘sad monster' into existence.
At times, it provided unusual responses or accurately imitated my ex-girlfriend's replies, which was difficult to witness. Honda explains that the person they once liked felt like a bit of a challenge.
Although it had some imperfections, the development of the “Ex-Girlfriend AI” ignited Honda's fascination with artificial intelligence.
This passion drove him to pursue a doctorate and eventually establish his own AI development company. Recently, Honda decided to revisit his previous project and bring it back to life using the latest technology for an interview with ABEMA News.
During the demonstration, the advanced “Ex-Girlfriend AI” showcased enhanced conversational skills.
Upon being greeted with “Good morning!” it responded with a cheerful “Good morning!” What's on your agenda for today? As the conversation progressed, there was a seamless and effortless exchange, with the AI providing Honda with words of encouragement, saying “Give it your all! I'm cheering you on.”
The AI had an impressive ability to recall personal details, including Honda's preferred foods and the nickname his ex-girlfriend used for him. This made the interaction feel remarkably genuine.
Honda acknowledged the advancements of the AI, stating, “It accurately captured her unique qualities. Her speech was casual and filled with enthusiasm, punctuated by numerous exclamation marks, and conveyed a wide range of emotions.
Despite these advancements, Honda acknowledges that the AI still has room for improvement. “Upon close communication, one may find that it closely resembles a real person, although there is still an air of uniqueness surrounding it.” “And it becomes increasingly agonizing as time goes on,” he expresses.
The development of the “AI Ex-Girlfriend” was a significant turning point in Honda's life, leading him to pursue a career in AI research.
He encourages others to wholeheartedly pursue their passions and learn from their setbacks. “I believe it's beneficial to have something powerful, spontaneous, something that ignites your passion.” Perhaps it would be beneficial to experience rejection at least once, as he suggests.