TOKYO, Sep 12 (News On Japan) - LINE has begun offering a service that proposes message replies with AI and can convert the tone of text into different styles. The feature became available from the talk screen on September 9th and suggests multiple reply patterns based on recent exchanges.
Users tap the AI icon and select a speech-bubble tool to see options such as acceptance or refusal when, for example, responding to a sudden invitation from a boss. The system analyzes up to the last 15 messages in the conversation to generate candidates it deems most appropriate.
A separate function converts a user’s text into several registers: polite Japanese (including relaxed and very formal variations), casual speech, and novelty styles such as cat-speak and samurai-speak. For instance, converting “I’m not feeling well so I’ll take the day off. Sorry” yields “As I am not feeling well today, I will take the day off. I apologize” in honorific form; “I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I’ll take the day off. Sorry” in casual form; “I’m not feeling well, so I’ll rest, meow. Sorry, meow” in cat-speak; and “My condition is poor; I shall take my leave. My apologies” in samurai-speak.
Some users say the suggestions make it easier to answer when they are unsure how to phrase a response or want help softening a refusal. Others are wary of relying on AI for personal chats, noting that it can feel like “robots talking to robots” and that friends might think they merit only a quick, automated reply.
The program that introduced the feature also cited a survey indicating that 95% of people have left messages on read at least occasionally, often because they did not know what to say or found replying burdensome. Supporters argue that AI can reduce that friction—particularly for tricky replies to seniors or relatives—while critics counter that the more everyday conversation is outsourced, the murkier authorship and sincerity may become.
Source: TBS
