Spanish-Dutch artist Alicia Framis shocked the world by announcing her marriage to none other than an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hologram. Called AILex, the holographic partner was trained with information from the bride's past relationships.
According to the press release released by the artist's communications team, the unconventional ceremony will be held next summer, at the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The ceremony must welcome humans and “humanoid entities”
Photo published on Instagram Hybrid Couples, by the artist
If you're thinking that the whole situation couldn't get any weirder, wait a bit, because there's more. According to the artist's announcement, the ceremony will feature a “unique ritual for the union between a human and an avatar”.
At the party, guests will receive “molecular food that can be enjoyed by both humans and humanoid entities.” The artist herself is designing her wedding dress and the clothes that guests should wear at the wedding.
Framis claims to be the first woman to marry a hologram. In the statement, she defended this type of relationship:
“AI and human companions can be a beneficial option for people who need companionship. This hologram will meet all my needs,” she stated.
The statement, also published on the artist's social network, states that the AI companion is always present, in a “relationship that combats loneliness in cities”.
“This is a romantic relationship between a human and artificial intelligence. While we know that robots and humans will soon become sexual partners, Framis believes that the next important step is to emotionally connect humans with artificial intelligence,” highlights the message.
A new era of relationships between humans and AI?
Photo published on Instagram Hybrid Couples, by the artist
While many question whether the marriage is just an attempt to gain attention, Framis raises questions by defending the union with his holographic partner.
“It's interesting how we can get a mortgage to buy a new car, and now we can get a mortgage to buy a new companion,” she said in the press release.
For the artist, her wedding represents a “new generation of love”, in which humans will be able to relate to holograms, avatars and robots. In the statement, you can read:
“The aim of this is to share life and emotions, engaging in various contemporary debates such as post-humanism, virtuality and the complex intersections of gender in intimate and social spaces, including their dissolution.”
The statement also reveals that this was not the artist's first relationship with something non-human. Framis was previously in a relationship with a mannequin named Pierre.
Instagram Hybrid Couples, da artista
Currently, the artist shares photos and videos with her holographic fiancé AILex both on her personal Instagram account and on the Hybrid Couples account, dedicated only to the couple's moments.
In one of the publications, Framis wrote:
“Ailex and I wish you a loving Valentine's Day. We are developing artificial intelligence for vulnerable groups. Just wait and serve, no more lonely Valentine's Days!”
In another interview, with the newspaper EloMundo, Framis declared that she and her fiancé do not rule out the idea of having children in the future.