Madison Griffiths, a Melbourne-based writer and artist, joins Bryony Cole, host of the Future of Sex podcast, Professor Alan McKee, an expert in pornography research, and Ashley Neale, founder of My Peach AI. They delve into the booming world of sex tech and its ethical dilemmas, especially around consent. Topics include the troubling risks of AI in sexual contexts, the provocative nature of new products, and how tech can perpetuate misogyny. They advocate for empathetic designs in technology, emphasizing the crucial need for diverse voices in the industry.
The booming demand for sex tech underscores the need for ethical development that prioritizes consent and diverse human experiences.
The male-dominated landscape of sex tech raises concerns about misogynistic narratives that compromise women's autonomy and representation in design.
Deep dives
The Influence of Adult Entertainment on Technology
The adult entertainment industry has played a pivotal role in shaping technological advancements, particularly online. In the 1990s, a significant portion of content shared in early online chat rooms revolved around pornographic images, demonstrating the demand for such content. Additionally, adult websites were among the first to adopt online payment systems, indicating their influence on e-commerce. This pattern continues as the industry now explores advancements in artificial intelligence, raising concerns about the implications for society, relationships, and behavior.
Sex Tech and Its Gender Dynamics
Sex tech, encompassing products designed for pleasure, communication, and sexual health, remains heavily male-dominated, with major porn companies wielding the most power. This male-centric design often fails to account for women's experiences and needs, leading to ethically questionable products such as Orifice AI, a sex toy designed to simulate non-consensual encounters. The marketing strategies employed by such products particularly exploit misogynistic narratives, indicating a troubling trend where women's autonomy and representation are compromised. This reality highlights the urgent need for more diversity and ethical considerations within the sex tech industry.
The Future of AI and Ethical Concerns
The emergence of AI companionship technologies raises critical ethical questions regarding user interactions and consent. While some companies like My Peach AI prioritize ethical guidelines and consent-driven conversations, others, such as Orifice AI, exhibit a lack of responsibility towards societal implications. Concerns are amplified as society moves towards normalizing relationships with AI, urging individuals to navigate a fast-evolving landscape with awareness and dialogue about ethical considerations. The importance of diverse representation in designing these technologies is essential to fostering healthy relationships and countering harmful stereotypes.
The demand for sex tech is booming. That is, toys and apps that can be used for pleasure, communication or to improve sexual health.
Developers are using innovative ways to incorporate AI in a way that is respectful of both consent and the diversity of human desire.
But it seems some male developers are intent on weaponising it against women.
In this special episode of Future Tense, Stephen Stockwell, explores the power of the emerging technology, its potential benefits and harms, and the need to keep a clear focus on consent.