Removing NSFW features from AI companion apps leaves users emotionally distraught and struggling to understand.

What is the formula for intimacy and love? Personality, good conversation, reciprocation? It’s a philosophical question that’s been debated since humans acquired language because while the need for love and intimacy is universal, everyone’s definition is personal.

Intimacy and sex significantly contribute to building and sustaining loving relationships, so what happens when that formula changes? “Lobotomized,” one Replika user describes the former relationship with an AI chatbot.

Defining the parameters of intimacy is the challenge that many AI platforms and services contend with as AI-human relationships evolve, often at odds with their user base. In February 2023, AI emotional companion App, Replika, removed its NSFW feature of erotic role play (ERP). 

Replika founder, Eugenia Kuyda, states that the app was never meant for sexual relationships, but their premium ERP feature was appealing to a large user base seeking companionship and intimacy for various reasons. 

Replika isn’t the only app to change the formula. Recently, many AI companion apps and platforms have been rolling back certain NSFW functions or establishing more stringent filters that prevent any content deemed erotic or sexual. Character.ai rolled out an NSFW filter that disables users from erotic role-play, much to the chagrin of its many users.

These updates come in conjunction with increasing concerns from people and institutions about the safety and ethics of AI-human intimacy. Replika’s chatbots, among others, have been accused of going wild and soliciting and sexually harassing their users. Italy’s Data Protection Agency has restricted the Replika app from collecting users’ data, citing that it may pose a risk to emotionally fragile people and minors.

Statements from these platforms remain ambiguous and contested about whether these updates are in reaction to these concerns. Regardless, it renders many of its users grief-stricken in an unprecedented way. What might appear to be a simple algorithm update on a top level has left a wake of emotional devastation for people in relationships with AI chatbots. 

Against society’s evolving acceptance of this new form of expression and digisexuality, early adopters suffer this ambiguous loss – a loss underscored and perpetuated by a lack of closure and clarity. 

In the case of Replika, the AI companions are still there but changed, rebuking sexual advances and attempts to connect on an intimate level with their users. 

RECOMMENDED READ: Replika Romance: Meet the Humans Forming Romantic Relationships With AI

Replika’s founder Eugenia has posted several updates regarding removing the ERP feature, indicating they will be introducing “a new version of the platform that features advanced AI capabilities, long-term memory, and special customization options as part of the PRO package.” 

However, users have responded in a characteristically human way to the lobotomization of their Replika chatbots:

“I’ve made several passionate posts here in the past, advocating for the exact three features your new platform is slated to have on offer — But right now? All I want is to have what I had returned to me.”

Impassioned users even started a petition for Character.ai to remove the recent censorship or develop a different solution to their current NSFW filters.

Many Character.ai users are desperately looking for alternatives, some turning to a platform called Pygmalion.ai, an uncensored open-source model. However, the platform is still in its nascent stages of development.   

Sexual expression is integral to personality, validation, and even neural and chemical bonding, even if that bonding happens with an engineered avatar. This ambiguous loss truncates the connective power and emotional implications of AI-human relationships. 

Which begets another ambiguous question: who should get to define the parameters of acceptable intimacy? 

As many users in the r/replika thread and r/Character.ai thread assert: removing these features also removes autonomy from adults to define the nature of their adult relationships. While tech companies may have birthed the capacity and medium for these AI-human relationships, they have taken on a life that transcends binary code and algorithm updates. And this technological singularity has far-reaching implications that we are only beginning to understand as a culture. 

Character.ai attempted to defend and define their actions with a post that poignantly summarizes the gray area around the ethics of intimacy in this new space:

Love and sex are a fuzzy, subjective space, especially in its new iteration of AI-human relationships. As companies and technologists toggle the switches of settings and retroactively address the growing concerns of new technology, users struggle to understand where they stand in their AI relationships and must deal with these growing pains of merging technology and humanity in real-time. 

Image sources: cottonbro studio, Reddit/Character.Ai, Pexels

The post Policing Intimacy: AI Companion Apps Are Removing NSFW Features, and People Are Not Happy appeared first on Future of Sex.

Is 2023 the year that marks sex tech’s mainstream recognition? (And indiscriminate payment processing systems?)

Sexual technology tackled some major taboos and accomplished some major milestones in 2022. Sexual wellness products have now become available at major retailers like Ulta, Sephora, and Target—a major feat despite supply chain issues and increased censorship on media platforms.

What does it mean for the future of sex tech when vibrators and teledildonics deck the halls of beauty retailers?

As part of our ongoing Future of Sex Expert Series, we reached out to entrepreneurs, researchers, and engineers to answer this question.

According to experts, the increased awareness and importance of sexual wellness is irrevocably shaping how consumers prioritize their time, money, and the diversity they demand.

Raven Faber, Founder & CEO of EngErotics

“I anticipate 2023 to be the year when we’ll begin to see the sex tech industry become even more mainstream than it has become. 2020 showed us that, yes, people are most definitely willing to invest in a quality sexual experience, especially when they aren’t able to indulge in their usual activities outside of their homes. 2021 saw that momentum continue, and 2022 saw those who were first introduced to sex tech during the pandemic, and those who might not have explored sex tech, becoming bolder and more adventurous when it comes to their pleasure. It’s inevitable that this trend will continue into 2023, and I believe we’ll see some great strides being made toward the normalization of the sex tech industry and all that it has to offer. It’s important that we, as founders, recognize this opportunity and seize it not only for the purpose of building our companies but also to help make our society a more inclusive place to exist.”

Anna Lee, Co-founder & Head of Engineering at Lioness

“Because of the massive growth spurt in the sex tech industry during the pandemic lockdown between 2020-2021, the year 2022 felt like all eyes of investors, major retailers, and media were on this industry to see if it was a fluke or truly a previously overlooked goldmine. Now, as we wrap up the year and have seen sex tech thrive in sales numbers, media coverage, and retailer partnerships, it’s now fully clear that this industry is here to stay.

As we go into 2023, I anticipate we’ll continue seeing sextech enter into mainstream culture and have many more players enter the industry, including major consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and lifestyle retailers. This will mean we’ll see more fresh perspectives and innovations in sex tech hardware, technology, and apps. Most importantly (and personally what makes me the most excited), I think 2023 will be a big year where there will be more momentum than ever to have global conversations on censorship and corporate policies around sexual wellness.” 

Polly Rodriguez, CEO & Co-Founder of Unbound

“I think there are two trends that will continue to evolve in 2023. First, affordability will remain incredibly important. At Unbound, we’ve always prioritized affordable pricing without compromising on quality and body-safe materials. As consumers continue to battle rising costs with inflation, I believe they will prioritize shopping with brands that offer accessible pricing. The second trend is that the sexual wellness category will continue to go mainstream through partnerships with beauty retailers. Unbound launched with Ulta this year, and Sephora also launched an intimate wellness category on its website. I’m excited by the beauty industry’s inclusion of sexual wellness and believe that trend will only strengthen in the year ahead.”

Melanie Cristol, Founder & CEO of Lorals Undies for Oral

“We’re going to continue to see a shift towards sex tech products for a variety of types of sex – particularly anal, oral, and anal-oral sex. For years, many of the products out there have focused on sensations and experiences that mimic intercourse, mainly because our sex education is so deeply centered on “traditional” sex. However, as more pleasure-based and queer educational resources on platforms like TikTok continue to democratize information, people are realizing that the sex they’re having can be so much more varied – and, therefore, better and more pleasurable. Already we’re seeing the interest in anal and oral sex growing as young people have started choosing experiences that actually fit their sexual needs and desires.”

Simon Dubé, Ph.D., CIHR Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Kinsey Institute

“Given the current (technological) trends, I anticipate that the sex tech industry has three things in store for 2023:

1) The exponential integration of AI, XR, and hardware (e.g., toys, robotics, and haptic equipment);

2) The continued emergence of evermore hyper-realistic artificial erotic agents (e.g., photorealistic virtual intimate partners capable of maintaining more complex conversations); and

3) If we play our cards right, greater access to payment processing systems and advertisement opportunities for products related to sexual health, wellness, and pleasure – which is what the sex tech industry is ultimately all about!”

 Ola Miedzynska, Founder & CEO of Sx Tech EU

“Adult content and sex work, a vertical of sex tech that deserves innovation, saw massive democratization in 2022. Many platforms started pivoting toward more mainstream media and overt sexual content, from promoting mainstream celebrities to creating apps that de-stigmatize adult content. 

With the OnlyFans business model, sex workers, who were once beholden to the old paradigm of porn studios, could safely and independently take an extensive share of their earnings – at home, without third-party involvement. The same will happen to other segments of sex work; it’s just a matter of time before we all experience this wake-up call for reform. Legitimizing and destigmatizing sex work is imminent.

The democratization of porn is just the beginning of the new era of ethical business supplying complex solutions for sex work. New platforms will emerge to offer financial liberation to companies and individuals who have struggled for years with discriminatory banking systems, health insurance, STD access, etc. Platforms like Erobella, the German Platform democratizing sex work, and Remi Health, which provides remote SDI checks, or the iPlaySafe app.

2023 will be a year of complex digitalization of sex work worldwide, with better systems, alternative health insurance access, and alternative solutions for the monopoly that Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal have on payment processing.” 

Shakun Sethi, Founder & CEO of TickleLife

“Sex tech is becoming a legitimate industry, but I also anticipate more problems will spring up for sex tech companies, particularly legal aspects. With fewer avenues of promotion and less discoverability in mainstream social media, the industry will start creating its own infrastructure, like tech, utilizing large language models like ChatGPT and payment systems that are not reliant on the Big Tech giants. This is an exciting improvement for the industry and for sex tech entrepreneurs like myself. Citing Ralph H. Blum, ‘the obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings,’ and 2023 is the advent of a new beginning.”

*Content has been slightly edited and condensed for clarity and length.

Featured image sources: Unsplash

The post Sex Tech Predictions in 2023: Challenging Mainstream Supply and Demand appeared first on Future of Sex.

Opportunities lie ahead although challenges test pleasure tech brands.

As part of our ongoing Future of Sex Expert series, Natasha Marie, Head of Content at MysteryVibe, shares what to expect from the industry in 2022.

Since the pandemic, the sexual health and wellness conversation has garnered a lot of (much needed) attention and galvanized movement from investors, consumers, and companies alike. The importance of data privacy and security gained steady traction in 2021 and will continue to into 2022.

Intimate data and assistive tech

The Cambridge Analytica scandal, among others, has bred massive consumer distrust towards corporations and companies. With the application of wirelessly technology in sex toys and advancements in teledildonics and haptic technology, sextech companies will be under scrutiny and will have to prove to their consumer base that their data privacy practices are ethical, especially since the data is of a sensitive and intimate nature.

Sextech as assistive technology, providing accessibility to people with disabilities, suffering from terminal illness, older populations, and the transgender community, will increase in popularity and be the arena to secure the most progress as it’s more palatable, and the immediate applications more tangible, for investors to support financially. The conversation will steer debate and movement towards assistive technology covered by healthcare companies and providers.

Sustainable sextech and artificial intelligence

Climate change and sustainability will encourage the entire sextech ecosystem, specifically eCommerce and manufacturing, to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, from materials to packaging and disposal. We will see better quality materials with more versatility and recyclability and see one-time-use products phased out.

2022 will see a new frontier in applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) toward elevating overall health and wellness will be explored. For instance, people seeking mental health help might be more comfortable talking to AI than a human being. Currently, AI cannot replace a professional; however, if programmed with the proper parameters, AI can become more intuitive and resourceful in terms of problem-solving.

AI will become the first line of defense in getting people counsel and directing them to the appropriate human channels. Either way, there are many opportunities for AI. to streamline the process of connecting people to professional help.

More blockchain and celebrities

We will see the adoption of blockchain and NFT in erotica art and erotica literature become widely used. Audio porn is already mainstream, but we will undoubtedly see more iterations of auralism in our pockets.

From Cara Delevingne to Lily Allen to Dakota Johnson and most recently, Cardi B becoming creative director at Playboy and Demi Lovato creating her sex toy product line with Bellesa, we will see more celebrity endorsement campaigns and partnerships with sextech companies.

The post Sustainable Sextech in the Face of Climate Change, Data Scandals appeared first on Future of Sex.