An artificial intelligence (AI) character was made an official resident of a busy central Tokyo district yesterday, with the virtual newcomer resembling a chatty seven-year-old. The boy named “Shibuya Mirai” does not exist physically, but he can have text conversations with humans on the widely used Line messaging app. Tokyo’s Shibuya ward, an area popular with fashion-conscious young people, has given the character his own special residence certificate. Photo: AFP / Shibuya Ward This makes him Japan’s first — and maybe the world’s first — AI bot to be granted a place on a real-life local registry. Mirai, whose name means “future” in Japanese, is supposed to be a first grader at an elementary school. He can reply to messages and make light-hearted alterations to selfies he is sent. Shibuya said the project aims to make the district’s local government more familiar to residents and allow officials to hear their opinions. “His hobbies are taking pictures and observing people, and he loves talking with people... Please talk to him about anything,” the ward said in a statement with Microsoft, the joint developer of the character. Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.
A " seven - year - old " artificial intelligence ( AI ) bot has been granted residency in Tokyo 's central Shibuya district . The boy , named Shibuya Boy , does not physically exist but has text messages with users of the popular Line messaging app . The character has now been given a special residence permit , making him Japan 's – and possibly the world 's – first AI character to take a residence on a real life local registry .