By Taylor Irwin
Why experience intimacy with a real human when you could pork a robot? That’s the question of the century. Well, maybe not. But AI sex bots are on the rise, and there’s no stopping them. Although the name is pretty self-explanatory, you may still be wondering what exactly an AI sex bot is. The most broadly applicable definition is an anatomically correct robot designed for human intimacy or pleasure-seeking activities (you know what I mean). Since the first speaking sex robot, “Roxxxy,” debuted at a trade show in 2010, serious innovations have been made in the field of AI intimacy. In 2017, the Guardian reported on the production of the first commercialized interactive sexbot named Harmony, stating that it was selling for over $15,000. Harmony was the result of 20 years of technological innovations conducted by strange men scheming in their basements.
The big breakthrough for Matt McMullen — the main man behind this invention — was that Harmony serves not only as a sex toy but as a substitute for a companion. Dolls simulating humans that adapt to their owner’s desires and cater to their every need were not only a whimsical fantasy but a plausible reality. However, these ideas didn’t just start in 2010. Author Jenny Kleeman recalls sex bots’ earliest likeness, the ivory statue Galatea, carved by Pygmalion in ancient Greek mythology. From the legends, Pygmalion was said to be disgusted by real women, so he carved a lifelike statue to fit his wildest dreams. We see this concept of creating the ideal match backfire through centuries, with fictional robots causing destruction in cinema like Ex Machina and Metropolis, reflecting dark and seductive aspects of femininity that are often feared and shunned.
There are now a vast array of sex bots available to buy, from pricey ($3,000) to straight up breaking the bank (some over $15,000). Companies such as Replika have capitalized on the rising trend of “digisexuality” with customizable robot companions, claiming to have at least 30 million users. The ability to reshape and control something as fluid as sexuality is almost unfathomable, and creators of these toys have admitted that many relational aspects of intimacy are impossible to recreate with sex bots. But that doesn’t mean that these robots aren’t a convincing substitute. Especially for the lonely, touch-deprived people who robots like Roxxxy were designed for, AI sex bots are as close as some people think they can get to physical intimacy. While this is sad, it sheds light on the potential positive impacts that AI sex bots could have on some people’s mental health. However, these impacts are only positive when seen in response to the loneliness epidemic that we’ve been facing. Sex bots are more of a substitute for the real thing, providing temporary comfort against more lasting issues we face in the modern world.
Our intimate lives have already been made soulless by dating apps, and the rise of AI sex bots only further contributes to the stripping of authenticity that we have seen in human connection, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from concerns of empty romance, AI sex bots raise ethical implications regarding consent and derealization. A specific issue is the fact that users can completely control the robots, turn them “on” or “off” at any time, and require no consent or consideration from the sex bots to engage with them physically or verbally. This creates an idealized, one-sided version of intimacy completely stripped of control on the robot’s side.
Although many argue these bots are just programmed machines, the line between real and fake is very blurry thanks to how advanced our technology has become. When something artificial can nearly perfectly replicate a tactile human experience, it becomes harder to discern what is morally correct when interacting with real people versus these robots. Especially when most of the AI sex bots are designed for the pleasure of men, replicating female features, concerns of sexism and oppression are bound to arise. If the robot doesn’t have to give consent, why should real people?
As previously mentioned, this is not a new idea. Men have been trying to create the perfect woman since the dawn of time, idealizing a docile homemaker who never says no. Now that they have finally made the dream real, many people are pondering what this means for the future. It’s enough that we already have social media and dating apps where unrealistic beauty standards are pushed across genders; now, there are perfectly engineered synthetic partners to compete with. This leap in technology not only blurs ethical lines of consent and reality, it makes relationships more intimidating and competitive.
So what do we do about it? The answer is unclear, but one thing is obvious: now that AI sex bots are on the market, they’re not coming off anytime soon. Relationship dupes may not be for everyone, but advertisers know how to reach their target audience. While some may find these advancements beneficial, many communities – especially female-identifying groups – are extremely troubled by these inventions and their implications. The dominating and commanding dynamic between user and robot easily normalizes harmful behavior like rape and pedophilia while reinforcing damaging stereotypes and expectations.
Author MJ Banias from The Debrief recommends that users treat digisexuality like gambling: tread lightly. Many writers also advise against blaming the users of these toys, and instead to question the providers. Issues like these can spark broader questions that we should be answering such as, how we can use technology to enhance and appreciate our humanity, rather than smother and replace it?