In this exclusive interview, author Ros Anderson discusses the sextech inspiration behind her upcoming book.

Ros Anderson’s debut novel The Hierarchies tells the story of Sylvie.e, an embodied intelligent AI system designed to be the perfect wife. 

Sylvie.e is a fully sentient robot, programmed to follow “The Hierarchies”—the strict programming rules to keep her catering to her Husband’s every whim. 

But her life, and her story, take a different turn as she challenges domesticity and her “marriage” to enter the world of sex work. This brilliant novel explores the potential of love, relationships, and power with technology.

Sexbot science fiction

Penguin Random House released the book in the United States this summer and the UK release is anticipated for June 2021 via Dead Ink. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive so far—perhaps as it appeals to a current zeitgeist of “sex robot” fiction. 

Novels concerning sex robots have come into force over the last few years.

There was Margaret Atwood’s Heart Goes Last in 2015, along with Ian McKewan’s Machines Like Me and Jeanette Winterson’s Frankissstein,  both published just last year.

But none of these bestsellers wrote a story recounting the life of a sex robot from the point of view of a gynoid character; something Anderson was keen to explore: 

The sex robot is the narrator; it is her story. I was excited about the idea for my story because I could put this female robot, this ‘other’ at the centre a … I could write the diary of a sex doll

Anderson captures Sylvie.e’s voice as an evolving AI system that shows the process of a technological product learning through human experiences—which was no mean feat.

Simple sentences and reflex responses to commands evolve to questioning the meaning of phrases, words, and tone that lead to what could be considered “consciousness.”

When asked whether Anderson referred to forms of existing sextech when designing her fictional world, she clearly answers:

I was interested in AI creativity. What is the creative potential of AI? As a writer I was interested in that, and also other writers’ horror at this idea. The direction of the story definitely changed when I read David Levy’s Love and Sex with Robots. I in my naivety hadn’t thought about these basic possiblities like the development of  AI dolls being used instead of sex workers—not just a doll in your private home…

Reading Kate Devlin’s essays also made me consider how sextech could make for a less mechanical view of sex, as well as thinking why it is so masculine focused

One important piece of sextech really inspired her however,  and served as a key feature for developing her story:

 There was a sexdoll called Samantha at an exposition …she was taken of the display after 24 hours after being mauled and molested by all the visitors – it struck me as a neat metaphor for being a young female in the world—a switch is flipped and suddenly everyone thinks they have a right to your attention, your body—so that was a big impetus

The story of Sergi Santos’s creation Samatha and her treatment at the Ars Electronica fair in 2017 has been a much–discussed news story, in sex tech circles and outside of them.

Pyramid of power

The title of the novel speaks to the strata that dictates who matters in this pyramid of power, and challenges the ideas that “synthetics”  are not as important in comparison to biological people. Alongside this commentary, Anderson sees this as part of a wider conversation about technologies’ dystopian or utopian potential:

The book will be characterised or shelved as a dystopia, or a feminist dystopian sci-fi novel  but I think we are already here and things are dystopian for all of us right now. It is not necessarily the technology’s fault. Algorithmic bias, racial profiling along with other technologies that negatively and disproportionately affect women… but we need to harness the positive effects.

This debut novel gives a fresh new perspective with Sylvie.e the gynoid’s narrative, while touching on some of the more thought-provoking and polemical conversations around sex robots. 

Anderson’s novel provocatively asks some timely questions. Could AI develop sentience and emotions? Would this be ethical? Is a robot wife a desirable outcome of sextech? What about a robot sex worker?

Science fiction has always offered a space to offer contemporary social critiques while envisioning new futures.

But with this novel, it is hard to work out—Utopia or Dystopia? It’s up to the reader to decide.

Image sources: Penguin House

The post Diary of a Sexbot: Sci-fi Novel ‘The Hierarchies’ Upends Genre With Gynoid POV appeared first on Future of Sex.

​​Why a growing number of girl gamers are rejecting traditional romance.

This article is third in a three-part series on the “DESIRED IDENTITIES – New Technology-based Metamorphosis in Japan” conference in June. It explores the popularity of fictional characters in Japanese media culture—and considers their potential in sex tech.

The massive popularity of “love simulation games” among Japanese women suggests the desire for virtual lovers cuts across genders and cultures.

Otome games, for example, are Japanese dating simulation games specifically designed for female players.​​ ​​​​​​In them, the main female character gets to choose from a selection of eligible male partners.

The goal of “otome” or “love simulation games” is to establish a relationship with the most romantic and desirable suitor.

Carrying out research on women’s interactions with characters is Dr. Agnès Giard, who is part of the research project “Emotional Machines: The Technological Transformation of Intimacy in Japan.”

​At the June conference, her presentation “Becoming an Avatar in a Japanese Love Game: Female Identity and Desired Alienation” considered women’s focus on “otome” games​​.

Giard’s also sought to challenge the stigma against the “otome” gamer. ​​

She criticized sexist attitudes that belittle and undermine female players because of how they spend money in the game on gifts and accomplishments.

Giard instead suggests we consider how such games might offer new spaces to challenge traditional romance, specifically in outright rejecting it in favor of virtual romance with male characters. 

By rejecting traditional romance, “otome” gamers are often ridiculed for their celibacy and rejection of family values. Giard suspects this is because it is so threatening to Japan’s already waning family institutions and birth rate. 

Speaking exclusively to Future of Sex, Giard elaborates: “Despite stigmatized as ”losing dogs” (make-inu) or ”parasites” (parasaito), the gamers positively call themselves ”dream girls” (yume-joshi), in order to fight against social exclusion.” 

Otome games are VERY popular

Considering relationships with characters from a female user’s perspective has been seriously underexplored in Japanese and Western contexts alike, but offers an interesting touchstone to see how this might evolve in the future for Western female users. 

Giard explained in her interview that language barriers and cultural nuances make the games difficult in terms of accessibility for non-Japanese gamers. However, she highlights that this doesn’t stop their popularity:

In spite of the stigma associated with artificial realities, these games are now spreading around the world, inspiring an entire subculture of dedicated players and opening ground for a whole industry. In 2016, Voltage (which was the world’s leading company specializing in Virtual boyfriends) claimed 50 million women, worldwide, were registered as users. In 2017, one of its releases—translated in English as Midnight Cinderella— entered the Top 100 Overall Sales Ranking in the App Store with over 1,600,000 downloads. As these figures show, the rising phenomenon of “otome” games is not limited to Japan. 

Giard used Loveplus as an example to show not just how characters could become increasingly important for sex tech development, but also suggests a growing propensity (and popularity) for female players. 

Tracing its genealogy, she pointed out that “while at first they were classified as a subgenre of ”erotic games” (ero-ge) for male otaku, the romance games did not appear as much more than a geek commodity. ​​​​But with the widespread use of mobile phones, the industry shifted towards the App market aimed at women and now, in Japan, “otome” games (love games targeting females) are much more popular than bishōjo games (for male).” 

Existing sex tech avatars have been criticised for being sexist in their portrayal of women, but this is perhaps hardly surprising when so few sophisticated examples of masculine characters exist. 

While sex tech developments tend to see technology as a tool to create intimacy or sexual enjoyment, it seems that technology in Japan, and also in China is creating virtual lovers with technology as object of affection—and they are increasingly popular. 

Could we see the same soon with American, European and other Western products? 

While this presentation highlighted that there is still plenty of stigma attached to emotional interaction with technological others, it shows how Japan leads the way in design and popularity—and allows us to creatively consider what the future of intimacy will be. 

A full list of the papers presented can be accessed here, with the full conference available on Youtube.  

Image source: 屋宜 Ricardo 清介, moggymawee

The post Japanese ‘Dream Girls’ Choose Intimacy in Love Simulation Games appeared first on Future of Sex.

Fascination with fictional female characters goes beyond desire for companionship and into self-exploration.

This article is the second in a three-part series on the “DESIRED IDENTITIES – New Technology-based Metamorphosis in Japan” conference in June. It explores the popularity of fictional characters in Japanese media culture—and considers their potential in sex tech.

At the June online conference “DESIRED IDENTITIES,” academics turned their attention to technological characters in emergent Japanese products.

In particular, they offered many new perspectives that show promising potential when applied to sex tech developments—be it through avatars, fictional anime characters, or virtual reality. 

Bishōjo characters and virtual romance

Graduates from Tōkyō University and the Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences, Japan presented their work  “The Babiniku Phenomenon in Japan: when Men Metamorphose into Bishōjo Characters”. 

Their talk highlighted how COVID-19 has moved so many interactions online that the distinction between avatars and “real” people on screens has become blurred. 

They then explored how avatars might become translated into virtual romance in ways we haven’t seen yet, but looked at Bishōjo games to think about where we might be heading.

Bishōjo games are popular dating games for men, with varying degrees of sexual or pornographic content. Bishōjo characters are the beautiful anime female characters within the game. 

Presenting their conference paper with avatars, they provocatively asked:

If a completely different appearance and behavior from what one is living now were possible, what would you like to be? You can be anything: a machine body, a wonderful animal, a beautiful girl or a beautiful young man. 

The future of gender and desire with avatars

Elaborating on Bishōjo games, and the popularity of the female characters within them, the contributors discussed was the emergence of “Babiku,”  an abbreviation of “virtual girl incarnation.”

This was described as the act of donning an avatar of a beautiful girl in a virtual space, making being a beautiful female accessible through avatars, and interaction with others with this visual form. 

The potential for sex tech to be a liberating force for both gender and sexual identification seems obvious when you consider the fluidity offered with avatar use. 

The researchers also highlighted the importance of including people who use avatars in conversations about usage, especially in its early stages, and not just considering this as an isolated aspect of academic study.

Doll owners have previously said the same, that it is important to include those using this sex tech in discussions about these products.

It seems that by considering fictional characters, and technological mediums the future of sex tech could be creative, ludic and alluring—our limit may just be our imagination. 

Japan, with its affinity for technology ­– along with its prowess – offers new and exciting technological manifestations to explore the potential for intimacy. 

A full list of the papers presented can be accessed here, with the full conference available on Youtube.  

Image source: Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

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In “Otaku” culture it’s common for people to forge emotional bonds with fictional beings.

This article is the first in a three-part series on the “DESIRED IDENTITIES – New Technology-based Metamorphosis in Japan” conference in June. It explores the popularity of fictional characters in Japanese media culture—and considers their potential in sex tech.

Japan’s rich history of Shinto traditions, technological prowess, and affinity for anime and manga make for a fascinating backdrop when we think of intimacy with fictional characters.

Plenty of media coverage has focused on Japan and Japanese peoples’ propensity to forge emotional bonds with fictional characters—from marriages to holograms to VR wedding ceremonies with anime characters . 

The contributions of the June conference “Desired Identities” explored how characters are already essential in online and virtual worlds, and the ripple effect this has on our social spaces. 

But it also allows us to consider: what role might characters play in the future of sex tech, and how popular might they be? 

What is Otaku culture? 

One of the first contributors at the conference was Patrick W. Galbraith, lecturer at Senshū University, Japan. Galbraith is well-known for his research in “Otaku” culture, the marginalized subgroup that engages with “cute girl” characters in anime, manga, and other media formats. 

His presentation Character, Culture, Platform: Locating Emotional Technology in Contemporary Japan appraises how technological others might offer new emotional experiences—ones that are more complex than simply replicating human interaction. 

Reflecting on the anime series “Beatless”,Galbraith suggests that human emotions toward technological others are inevitable, even when we are fully aware that they are technological constructions. 

Azuma Hikari: What does she mean for sextech?

Galbraith can be considered an authority on human/nonhuman emotional interaction, having worked with Gatebox and their development of Azuma Hikari, a feminized hologram and virtual personal assistant (VPA). 

Its emergence has piqued curiosity about visually presented VPA’s and seems to herald a new age for development. In a private interview for Futureofsex.net, Galbraith discussed how this might impact future sextech: 

We have to first establish what we mean by “sex.” The most recent development for Azuma Hikari is allowing users to see her diary, for example. In what sense is this designed relation and revelation sexual? This seems to be intended to make her cuter and more loveable, which could impact imaginary sex.

Galbraith elaborated that the nature of our relationship with characters is crucial for an emotionally interactive but ethical vision for sextech:

Thinking about the future, I am struck by two very different visions. On the one hand, a group of men sexually abusing a robotic body at an event in Austria in 2017, and, on the other hand, a man getting married to the virtual idol Hatsune Miku in Japan in 2018. Why is one treated like a sexual object, and the other a significant other? 

The difference is the technology of character, which extends to media, material and social relations. Harnessing it may be the key to surviving beyond a limited and destructive human world.

So far, Gatebox’s Hikari is only available in Japanese and Galbraith stated that problems such as “character setting, regulation and customer service” is limiting development for English speaking consumers. 

 Considering the interest surrounding this product, and popularity of existing avatars in the sex tech industry such as RealdollX App from Abyss Creations, it seems prescient of big changes in the future of Western sex tech.  

A full list of the papers presented can be accessed here and the full conference is available on Youtube.  

Image source: Steve Nagata, Steve Nagata

The post What Japan’s Love for Virtual Characters Reveals About the Future of Sex Tech appeared first on Future of Sex.

Affective computing blurs the line between product and performance.

When it comes to sex robots, the possibility of intimacy, as well as sex, with an artificial lover has started to generate interest. The opportunity to get to “know” a partner through communicating and sharing information seems draws many to the possibility of a humanoid sex partner.

Intimacy seems an ever-complicated zeitgeist of our digitally connected world. So are we seeing a need for intimacy to be purchased, and carried out through sex robots? And is the motivation to buy an emotional connection cause for ethical concern?

Commodifying intimacy

As sex tech develops, the possibility of an intimate relationship, as well as a sexual one serves as an important push factor for some consumers.

The idea of commodifying intimacy was first explored by sociologist Arlie Hoschild in the 1980s with her research for “The Managed Heart – Commercialization of Human Feeling.”

She argued that “surface acting” and “deep acting” are performed by employees in order to “sell” sincerity and authenticity in certain lines of work.

The distinction between the two is crucial as “in surface acting we deceive others about what we really feel, but we do not deceive ourselves.” whereas “deep acting” involves rethinking how to experience certain emotions “by taking over the levers of feeling production.”

Hoschild’s work refers to carrying out commodified intimacy through human agents. However, the developers of today’s robotic sex dolls have embedded this performance of intimacy in their designs.

Take Realbotix’s latest creation: RealDollX, an updated Android app to create a virtual (female) companion. The sexual language to refer to the interaction with the new RealDollX avatar is euphemistic and fairly tame.

There is plenty more focus on “never being lonely again” and creating your “perfect companion in the palm of your hand.” It seems that intimacy is either a prerequisite, or at least an important “extra” for this sex tech.

Performance or product?

Academics in this field have focused on the transmission of intimacy with sex robots. Yet they differ widely regarding whether they view it as performance or product.

For instance, robotics expert David Levy argues his seminal work “Love and Sex with Robots” that if humans interpret robotic behavior intended to mimic the expression of feelings as a convincing enough performance, then this is as good as the robot experiencing those feelings.

But others are more critical of the performance aspect. They want to question how ethical it is that we see this impression of intimacy as authentic when, in fact, it is a product designed and sold for consumption.

Reflecting on MIT researcher Sherry Turkle’s “Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other” (2011), her writing explores in-depth human/robotic relationships in a social and romantic sense and reduces robotic interaction to “just a clever collection of “as if” performances.”

Turkle suggests that the confusion between product and performance in “affective computing intentionally blurs the line,” leaving consumers in a grey area of understanding between the two.

The ultimate question then, is whether consuming sex tech that performs intimacy will satisfy this need for intimacy. It is worth reflecting on Turkle’s pertinent question:

“We know what the robot cannot feel: it cannot feel human empathy or the flow of human connection. Do we care? Or does the performance of feeling now suffice?”

Only time, and sales of sex robots, will tell if commodified technological intimacy will be enough to satisfy its consumers.

Image Sources: Elfeli Vynch, Geralt

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Camming, crypto, and chilling legal moves.

In the ‘80s, the inventions of the pager and the mobile phone paved the way for the “call girl,” facilitating indoor sex work and allowing more mobility and autonomy for sex workers.

They provide illustrative examples of revolutionary sex tech that changed the field of sexual commerce forever. Of course, current and emerging technologies continue to do so.

Yet while sexual commerce moves into the virtual and digital realms as a result, all is not well in our Internet age.

Enter FOSTA/SESTA

Legislation has finally, and regrettably, realized the Internet’s role in contemporary sex work. FOSTA/SESTA legislation in the United States challenges Section 230 in an attempt to make websites liable for the content published on them, posing some serious questions about the nature of free speech online, especially for those advertising sexual services.

Sex workers and allies denounce this legislation, saying it makes their jobs more dangerous by pushing them back into street-based sex work, removing their online communities, and stopping them from vetting clients beforehand.

Given this chilling climate, it is imperative to reflect on what current forms of sex tech facilitate processes for sex workers worldwide as well as honor their activism in the online realm.

Databases of sex workers (and clients) 

FOSTA/SESTA laws have forced the closure of personal adverts on Craigslist and Backpage, arguably the two most popular resources for sex work advertising in the United States.

In its wake, new pages have emerged such as Tryst, providing a platform for independent escorts to advertise their services. But databases don’t just apply to those looking for sex workers. They also create a reference to monitor potentially dangerous clients.

National Ugly Mugs, a UK-based organization fighting to end violence against sex workers, is pioneering a resource where sex workers can report violence and abuse. By recording threatening messages from specific emails, phones, and clients, this resource provides potentially life-saving information.

Angela Jones’s recent research reflects the importance of digital action for sex workers. With doxing (hacking or cyberstalking) and capping (the unwanted filming and sharing of online erotic performances) becoming a common aspect of online sex work, measures to protect sex workers online is essential.

Changing spaces and changing currencies

Current technological advancements show us that with each development, sex work adapts to find the technological tools to meet its needs—and the changing locations reflect this most.

As recently seen on FutureofSex.net, new technologically mediated spaces will be used that exist outside of the virtual world, with autonomous cars potentially becoming another space to carry out sex work.

Research shows the Internet and technological developments have been the main factor for facilitating indoor sex work since the ’80s But a new change is coming, with sex workers carrying out sex work through webcamming and teledildonics.

Remote sex toys such as those sold by Lovense and OhMiBod were originally developed for couples in long-distance relationships, with both partners being able to control sex toy gadgets and simulate sex through them with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.

But “cam girls”, are cashing in on their haptic-touch technology,potential\enabling them to provide sexual services to clients online, and in the safety of their home.

By using teledildonics and webcamming simultaneously, camgirls are able to recreate sexual exchanges exclusively through sex tech.

The payment for these kinds of services is also changing as virtual currencies become the main way to generate income. Not dissimilar to the stripping industry, this work relies on tips –also known as ‘tokens’, with services being offered to the audience when the asking price in tokens has been met.

This interim space of virtual sex work offers security for sex workers, whilst allowing clients to enjoy the experience–and this is just the beginning of an industry that is sure to grow in the future.

Activism and social media

For critics, one of the most concerning parts of FOSTA/SESTA is the loss of sex worker communities in the online world. Sex workers have been pioneers in the field of digital activism, using the Internet as a global consciousness-raising tool for their cause.

In 2015, the hashtag #FacesOfProstitution went viral, with sex workers tagging their selfies to raise awareness about the diverse range and types of sex work and used Instagram as a platform to speak for themselves.

But since FOSTA/SESTA has passed, censorship of sex workers voices has already taken hold. In May of 2018, Instagram censored the hashtag #stripper and #femalestripper with the search result showing the following message: “Recent posts from #strippers are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines”.

Activist Jacq the Stripper was one of many to denounce the censorship as an act of “whorephobia” and sexism, given that the #malestripper hashtag was still available in post searches.

New forms of online communities are emerging, however. Switter, “the sex worker-friendly social space” provides an open community for sex work, with no hierarchical management.

Such drastic legislative and technological changes in the last two years forces us to wonder where the future of sex work is heading, and how sex workers are currently navigating this hostile territory.

Sex tech as the end of sex work? 

Whilst this new legislation attempts to curb sex work online, it is also worth thinking about how technological developments could also make sex work obsolete.

John Danaher’s research at the School of Law at NUI Galway presents us with an interesting question: “Is sex work (specifically, prostitution) vulnerable to technological unemployment?”

Whilst venturing that this proposal veers into a sci-fi scenario, he recognizes that the development of highly convincing humanoid sex robots could potentially replace human sex workers.

This, Danaher argues, depends on how much they could “pass” for humans. His nuanced perspective shows, however, that it is more likely that technological employment will push people into sex work, as displacement from other types of labor could push them into this field. It opens up conversations on just how successful sex tech could be in the future to come, if able to replace “the world’s oldest profession”.

Laws like FOSTA and SESTA, as well as technological changes make it difficult to anticipate how sexual commerce online will be carried out in the future. But given its current successful manifestations, it is safe to say that sex work and technology will continue to grow exponentially, and symbiotically together.

Image sources: taylorjamesphotos

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