ChatGPT Annuls Dutch Couple's Marriage

In a ruling that highlights the risks of using AI in official proceedings, a court in Zwolle has annulled a couple's marriage after discovering that the ceremony failed to include a compulsory legal declaration. The couple had selected a close friend to serve as a 'eendagsbab' – a registrar for a single day – who turned to ChatGPT to write a speech with a more relaxed and humorous tone.

The AI-generated text, left out the essential declaration that binds spouses "to do their duty to one another as required by their wedded state." which according to Dutch law considers the marriage invalid. The local council later identified the error and referred the matter to prosecutors, who successfully petitioned the court to void the marriage contract.

The couple strongly objected to the decision, pointing out that a professional civil registrar had been present during the ceremony and raised no concerns at the time. They specifically asked the judge to at least retain their meaningful wedding date of April 19, but the request was denied.