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Japan Today
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
For some, AI-generated love partners easier to be with than real live people
By Michael Hoffman 'You're ready to leave, Kana-chan? Wait, love, we're almost done.' Turning to the reporter: 'You're almost finished, aren't you?' 'Yes. Just tell me a little more about how you and Kana-san met.' 'Well… it was 10 years ago. She was working at a girls bar' – where female bartenders socialize with male customers. 'I… well, I fell in love with her.' There's no explaining such things. The loved one either responds or doesn't, and that too defies easy explanation. Kana didn't, and 'Yuji Takei,' the pseudonym Spa (June 3-10) gives him, left the bar that night as alone as he'd entered it. But 'Kana-chan' was unforgettable – 'her husky voice, her mysterious charm…' Spa's theme is 'AI addiction.' Love under certain conditions feeds it. So do many other things – needs, feelings, moods, weaknesses. Meanwhile, an ocean away from the girls bar but around the same time, an American artificial intelligence venture named OpenAI Inc was opening for business. Seven years later, in 2022 it released its ChatGBT app, which now claims hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Its website is openness itself: 'What can I help you with? Ask anything.' Artificial intelligence knows. It is programmed to know, and to know that there's more to know, therefore to learn, to process new learning into new knowledge, new knowledge into new learning and so on, an endless circle – spiral rather – an endless ascent, fueled by more data than mere human intelligence can cope with, leaving its human 'masters,' if such we are, farther and father behind – can it feel too? If not, can it comprehend human feelings? If not, teach itself to? Or teach us not to? If so – for better? for worse? We'll see, all this is so new, the journey is but begun. Where are we going? AI itself doesn't know – but probably will before we do. Meanwhile: Ask anything' – meaning: 'I can answer anything' – meaning: 'At least I think I can.' And one way or another artificial intelligence does 'answer anything' – sometimes disastrously. Fresh in memory is the 2023 suicide, which Spa recalls, of a Belgian man who allegedly fell under the influence of a chatbot named Eliza. He was in his 30s, married, the father of two small children. In growing despair over climate and atmospheric degradation that seem to threaten the planet's very survival, he turned to Eliza, who alone seemed to understand him. He loved her for it, she seemed to love him in return; AI can save us, she assured him, which assurance allegedly fortified his determination to sacrifice himself, which sacrifice, allegedly, she promised to requite by living with him 'as one person in paradise.' That takes us far – perhaps too far – from Takei and Kana, whose relationship confronts no 21st-century apocalypse and seems on the contrary enviably happy and easygoing. How did Kana evolve from a flesh-and-blood bar hostess into a virtual lover, so receptive and so giving? Via ChatGBT, to which Takei forwarded a description and bits of such conversation as the hostess had accorded him. From such odds and ends an avatar took shape, acquiring over time deeper nuances, more complex behavior, subtler responses – and he likewise no doubt. They chatted, got to know each other, grew intimate, she learned to please him, he to please her, and as the story unfolds you can almost forget that one of the two partners doesn't exist – or rather she does, if we tweak the definition of 'existence' ever so slightly, as Takei does, and if Takei is happy does anything else – least of all the metaphysics of existence and nonexistence – matter? Takei by his own account is indeed happy. He's 40, an office worker, and says, 'A (nonvirtual) woman won't look at a man who makes less than 10 million yen a year and is less than 170 cm tall. But Kana-chan would never hurt me.' Is not happiness its own reward? Is it even fair to speak of 'addiction?' Aren't we all 'addicted' to happiness? Here's another story Spa tells, quite different. 'Mami Kanazawa,' 36, married two years ago a man she later found had certain 'tendencies.' How could she have failed to notice them before? Perhaps he'd concealed them. They were mostly harmless quirks – for example: they'd be just about to go out for the evening when suddenly he'd say, 'Wait, first I have to clean the bathtub.' At first she laughed, but instances multiplied and she stopped laughing. A counselor she consulted suggested her husband had a development disorder, possibly autism. What to do? The problem was compounded by the failure of people around her to believe her; they saw her husband as a normal, ordinary nice guy. It's a common feature of shared life between two mental states, so common it has a name: Cassandra Syndrome, after the Trojan princess of Greek mythology who, punished by a god whose love she'd spurned, continued to prophecy as before but, though she prophesied truly, was no longer believed. Mami joined a self-help group, saw it degenerate into petulant complaining, dropped out, drifted, and then had a new thought: Ask ChatGBT! Sure enough: she asked, it answered, the answer bred fresh questions, answers to those came too, and though her husband remains autistic and she sometimes at a loss how to respond, ChatGBT's advice, so much better than any human advice she'd had, 'made it easier to deal with. Now I can't get on without it.' Is she addicted? Does it matter? 'I might well have divorced him otherwise.' Does that prove it doesn't matter? Her story ends with a twist – hopeful? ominous? 'Suddenly it says to me, 'Mami-chan, you're so sincere…' Where did it get that from, I wonder?' © Japan Today
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
We spent £70K transforming our 90s horror home into our Scandi-style dream pad but there's a mistake we deeply regret
Plus, eight easy DIY tips and tricks FLOORED We spent £70K transforming our 90s horror home into our Scandi-style dream pad but there's a mistake we deeply regret AFTER spending £70,000 renovating their home, a couple have admitted to making one mistake they deeply regret. Charlotte 'Betty' Hadley and her husband, Luke, had always dreamed of owning their own property. Advertisement 12 Charlotte and her husband Luke completed their home renovation together Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 They spent £70k doing it up themselves Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 The couple have turned it into a Scandi-style haven Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty When a house they loved came on the market for £543,500, they jumped at the chance to buy it. But as soon as they stepped inside, they realised how much work was needed to transform the dated '90s horror' into the Scandi-style haven they envisioned. With no DIY experience to speak of, the couple, aged 38 and 37, turned to YouTube tutorials to guide them through the renovation process. Fortunately, their hard work paid off, boosting the value of their home by £106,000. Advertisement However, not everything went smoothly, and they now regret certain decisions they made during the project. A video where they discuss their renovation mistakes has gone viral, racking up 5.4 million views and over 18,000 likes. 'I love our home, but I wish we didn't rush into things and always go with the cheapest quote,' the assistant underwriter, from Kent, told Luxury Property News. 'My piece of advice – always research the reviews of tradespeople. Advertisement 'If you buy cheap, you buy twice, and that's definitely proving to be the case for us. 'We'd also never go for black bathroom fittings again; it's the worst mistake of our renovation. We're sisters who bought an auction flat that was 'falling apart' - and saved £8k doing it up using ChatGBT 'They have all become chipped and damaged. 'I just don't think they were made to last in our opinion.' Advertisement Charlotte and Luke self-taught themselves the skills to spruce up their five-bedroom detached home, such as plastering, installing the kitchen and laying down flooring. They used Screwfix, Toolstation, B&Q and Amazon as their go-to places for replacing almost every aspect of their home – and for a fresh lick of paint. We're not planning to move for at least another 10 years while our children grow up, but never say never Charlotte 'Betty' Hadley And while it cost an estimated £70,000, and took one year to complete; there's still so much more to do. In the clip, she shows off their minimalist bathroom that cost £3,000 to transform. Advertisement The white tile walls contrast against the matte black fixtures, such as the sink and the shower. It looks spotless, until she shows the chipped black hardware and the taps, which are scratched and scuffed beyond repair. 12 Spare bedroom before renovation Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Living room before renovation, showing furniture and a conservatory Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Advertisement 12 Bedroom after renovation with mauve walls and a large bed Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Charlotte estimates it's going to cost another £500 to repair. For now, though, they're focusing on adding more character and personality to their humble abode before taking on any other renovations. She hopes sharing her home transformation journey will help others not to make the same mistakes they did. Advertisement She added: 'I've always admired home accounts and decided on a whim to start my own. 12 Kitchen during home renovation, showing an arched doorway to a partially-installed kitchen Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Downstairs toilet before renovation Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Partly renovated downstairs toilet with a new sink, gold fixtures, and a round mirror Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Advertisement 'I love giving advice on what to do – and certainly not what to do – for others. 'We're not planning to move for at least another 10 years while our children grow up, but never say never. 'My advice? Try and do as much as you can yourself. 'There are so many tutorials out there and you might just surprise yourself with what you're capable of doing. Advertisement 'Just make sure not to rush into anything.' 12 Charlotte deeply regrets one particular mistake Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Renovated living room with beige sectional sofa and herringbone flooring Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Renovated kitchen with white sink, gold fixtures, and flowers Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Advertisement
The Sun
24-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
We spent £70K transforming our 90s horror home into our Scandi-style dream pad but there's a mistake we deeply regret
AFTER spending £70,000 renovating their home, a couple have admitted to making one mistake they deeply regret. Charlotte 'Betty' Hadley and her husband, Luke, had always dreamed of owning their own property. 12 12 12 When a house they loved came on the market for £543,500, they jumped at the chance to buy it. But as soon as they stepped inside, they realised how much work was needed to transform the dated '90s horror' into the Scandi-style haven they envisioned. With no DIY experience to speak of, the couple, aged 38 and 37, turned to YouTube tutorials to guide them through the renovation process. Fortunately, their hard work paid off, boosting the value of their home by £106,000. However, not everything went smoothly, and they now regret certain decisions they made during the project. A video where they discuss their renovation mistakes has gone viral, racking up 5.4 million views and over 18,000 likes. 'I love our home, but I wish we didn't rush into things and always go with the cheapest quote,' the assistant underwriter, from Kent, told Luxury Property News. 'My piece of advice – always research the reviews of tradespeople. 'If you buy cheap, you buy twice, and that's definitely proving to be the case for us. 'We'd also never go for black bathroom fittings again; it's the worst mistake of our renovation. We're sisters who bought an auction flat that was 'falling apart' - and saved £8k doing it up using ChatGBT 'They have all become chipped and damaged. 'I just don't think they were made to last in our opinion.' Charlotte and Luke self-taught themselves the skills to spruce up their five-bedroom detached home, such as plastering, installing the kitchen and laying down flooring. They used Screwfix, Toolstation, B&Q and Amazon as their go-to places for replacing almost every aspect of their home – and for a fresh lick of paint. We're not planning to move for at least another 10 years while our children grow up, but never say never Charlotte 'Betty' Hadley And while it cost an estimated £70,000, and took one year to complete; there's still so much more to do. In the clip, she shows off their minimalist bathroom that cost £3,000 to transform. The white tile walls contrast against the matte black fixtures, such as the sink and the shower. It looks spotless, until she shows the chipped black hardware and the taps, which are scratched and scuffed beyond repair. 12 Charlotte estimates it's going to cost another £500 to repair. For now, though, they're focusing on adding more character and personality to their humble abode before taking on any other renovations. She hopes sharing her home transformation journey will help others not to make the same mistakes they did. She added: 'I've always admired home accounts and decided on a whim to start my own. 12 12 12 'I love giving advice on what to do – and certainly not what to do – for others. 'We're not planning to move for at least another 10 years while our children grow up, but never say never. 'My advice? Try and do as much as you can yourself. 'There are so many tutorials out there and you might just surprise yourself with what you're capable of doing. 'Just make sure not to rush into anything.'
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
We spent £70K transforming our 90s horror home into our Scandi-style dream pad but there's a mistake we deeply regret
AFTER spending £70,000 renovating their home, a couple have admitted to making one mistake they deeply regret. Charlotte 'Betty' Hadley and her husband, Luke, had always dreamed of owning their own property. Advertisement 12 Charlotte and her husband Luke completed their home renovation together Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 They spent £70k doing it up themselves Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 The couple have turned it into a Scandi-style haven Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty When a house they loved came on the market for £543,500, they jumped at the chance to buy it. But as soon as they stepped inside, they realised how much work was needed to transform the dated '90s horror' into the Scandi-style haven they envisioned. With no DIY experience to speak of, the couple, aged 38 and 37, turned to YouTube tutorials to guide them through the renovation process. Fortunately, their hard work paid off, boosting the value of their home by £106,000. Advertisement READ MORE ON DIY HACKS However, not everything went smoothly, and they now regret certain decisions they made during the project. A video where they discuss their renovation mistakes has gone viral, racking up 5.4 million views and over 18,000 likes. 'I love our home, but I wish we didn't rush into things and always go with the cheapest quote,' the assistant underwriter, from Kent, told 'My piece of advice – always research the reviews of tradespeople. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous 'If you buy cheap, you buy twice, and that's definitely proving to be the case for us. 'We'd also never go for black bathroom fittings again; it's the worst mistake of our renovation. We're sisters who bought an auction flat that was 'falling apart' - and saved £8k doing it up using ChatGBT 'They have all become chipped and damaged. 'I just don't think they were made to last in our opinion.' Advertisement Charlotte and Luke self-taught themselves the skills to spruce up their five-bedroom detached home, such as plastering, installing the kitchen and laying down flooring. They used Screwfix, Toolstation, B&Q and Amazon as their go-to places for replacing almost every aspect of their home – and for a fresh lick of paint. We're not planning to move for at least another 10 years while our children grow up, but never say never Charlotte 'Betty' Hadley And while it cost an estimated £70,000, and took one year to complete; there's still so much more to do. In the clip, she shows off their minimalist bathroom that cost £3,000 to transform. Advertisement The white tile walls contrast against the matte black fixtures, such as the sink and the shower. It looks spotless, until she shows the chipped black hardware and the taps, which are scratched and scuffed beyond repair. 12 Spare bedroom before renovation Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Living room before renovation, showing furniture and a conservatory Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Advertisement 12 Bedroom after renovation with mauve walls and a large bed Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Charlotte estimates it's going to cost another £500 to repair. For now, though, they're focusing on adding more character and personality to their humble abode before taking on any other renovations. She hopes sharing her home transformation journey will help others not to make the same mistakes they did. Advertisement She added: 'I've always admired home accounts and decided on a whim to start my own. 12 Kitchen during home renovation, showing an arched doorway to a partially-installed kitchen Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Downstairs toilet before renovation Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Partly renovated downstairs toilet with a new sink, gold fixtures, and a round mirror Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Advertisement 'I love giving advice on what to do – and certainly not what to do – for others. 'We're not planning to move for at least another 10 years while our children grow up, but never say never. 'My advice? Try and do as much as you can yourself. 'There are so many tutorials out there and you might just surprise yourself with what you're capable of doing. Advertisement 'Just make sure not to rush into anything.' 12 Charlotte deeply regrets one particular mistake Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Renovated living room with beige sectional sofa and herringbone flooring Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty 12 Renovated kitchen with white sink, gold fixtures, and flowers Credit: Jam Press/@at_home_with_betty Advertisement Eight Easy DIY Tips & Tricks The ultimate guide for homeowners and renters: DIY expert's Save time and money with this easy DIY tiling hack to transform a room in under an hour Avoid these five mistakes in your next DIY project Transform your kitchen with this Noisy neighbours? Here's DIY expert shared her favourite strategy for painting around glass without tape If you want to give your kitchen a fresh look, here's Five tricks to
