Home LivingWellnessAdultOpinion: Is AI taking over the sexual wellness industry?Hold on to your seat! Sex tech is changing…When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessAdultOpinion: Is AI taking over the sexual wellness industry?Hold on to your seat! Sex tech is changing…When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Hold on to your seat! Sex tech is changing…
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: LELO)
(Image credit: LELO)
In its 2023Sex Censusreport, Swedish sexual wellness brand LELO says that many of us will soon be enjoying AI as part of our sexual experience. Business magazineForbesconcurs, citing predictions that thebest sex toytech will reach a value of $122 billion in 2026.
Fantasies regarding the relationship between AI and sex tech are not new, at least in film. Who could forget Ava and Kyoko inEx Machina, or Scarlett Johansson’s AI character inHer? However, with recent advances in both AI and VR (we’re looking at you,Lovense and Apple Vision Pro!) sex tech is no longer a creative fantasy, but fast becoming part of our everyday.
AI and sex tech: it’s already here
AI currently exists within the sexual wellness industry, as smart sex toys are pretty commonplace. Teledildonics (or cyberdildonics) is an immersive technology that stimulates hyper-real mutual masturbation between couples, or indeed with a virtual being. We’ll continue to see more AI-informed sex toys too, such as the male masturbator Autoblow AI+, trained on information gleaned from 1,000 hours of oral sex videos.
VR within the porn industry is a growing phenomenon. Its biggest site, VRPorn, currently receives around 8 million monthly visits and can be viewed on Oculus Quest andGoogleCardboard, among others.
One controversial development between AI and the sexual wellness industry is the emergence of sex bots. Not to be confused with sex dolls, a sex bot can move, stand and talk. Its brain and ‘personality’ is controlled via an app on a smartphone. Sex bots are currently incredibly niche, partly because of cost (around £7,000). There are also various concerns, including sexual objectification.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
A more common form of AI in sexual wellness is using a chatbot as virtual sexual partner. Soulmate AI provided this service until its closure late in 2023, leaving thousands of digisexuals heartbroken and heading to apps, such as Replika or Kindroid.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Porn sites are using AI to learn about its users, creating sophisticated algorithms that offer bespoke content. Predictions are that as the relationship between AI, VR and the porn industry deepens, users will come to expect tailor made videos. The industry has, of course, already come under intense criticism for the proliferation of deepfake videos.
The rise of AI in sex tech: good or bad?
(Image credit: Lovehoney)
(Image credit: Lovehoney)
The marriage of AI and the sexual wellness industry presents many positives, suggests LELO in itsSex Censusreport. AI can provide educational benefits, or be helpful for those struggling with social anxiety, or disability. “Additionally, when applied to sex toys,” reads the report, “this tech could provide a more personalised experience to consumers.”
The negatives, advises Dr Joseph Walton a research fellow at the University of Sussex, include issues regarding privacy and data surveillance, algorithmic bias and long-term psychological impacts of data-driven personalisation. Other concerns regarding objectivation, consent, natural relationship development and the marginalisation of the LGBTQ+ community are also cited in the LELO report.
AI and the sexual wellness industry are already partners. Good and bad, the future only promises more collaboration, so we’ll have to see what comes out of it.
Today’s best Sex Toys deals$15.05$9.99View$10.81View$16.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sex Toys deals$15.05$9.99View$10.81View$16.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sex Toys deals
$15.05$9.99View$10.81View$16.99View
$15.05$9.99View
$15.05$9.99View
$15.05$9.99View
$15.05$9.99
$9.99
$10.81View
$10.81View
$10.81View
$10.81
$10.81
$16.99View
$16.99View
$16.99View
$16.99
$16.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Best sex toy Christmas gifts 2024: toys for him, her, them and couplesSpice up festivities and spread joy and cheer this year with our guide to gifting sexual wellness
Spice up festivities and spread joy and cheer this year with our guide to gifting sexual wellness
Lovehoney launches its ‘best ever’ Black Friday sale – here’s 5 picks you should buyGet up to 70% off at Lovehoney in its early Black Friday sale
Get up to 70% off at Lovehoney in its early Black Friday sale
Lovehoney launches its AI sexual wellness advisor – but I’m not entirely convincedLovehoney offers personalised sexual wellness advice with its new AI assistant
Lovehoney offers personalised sexual wellness advice with its new AI assistant
LELO Enigma Double Sonic review: LELO plays its A game with a triple stimulation massagerThe fourth iteration of the Enigma targets the A-spot for deeper orgasms
The fourth iteration of the Enigma targets the A-spot for deeper orgasms
Lovehoney’s new travel-friendly sex toy is discreet, powerful and shaped like a shellLovehoney launches the Venus Glow, a shell-shaped sex toy for your next holiday
Lovehoney launches the Venus Glow, a shell-shaped sex toy for your next holiday
Lovehoney launches its most discreet and travel-friendly sex toy yetLovehoney unveils new vibrator that can discreetly come with you on your next holiday
Lovehoney unveils new vibrator that can discreetly come with you on your next holiday
Blowmotion’s new male sex toy has erotic sound effects for intense solo playThe Blowmotion Thrusting Male Masturbator has more patterns and motions than ever before
The Blowmotion Thrusting Male Masturbator has more patterns and motions than ever before
TENGA and RIPNDIP collaborate on limited edition pleasure cups featuring cheeky kittyFashion and pleasure join forces and the result is just puurfect
Fashion and pleasure join forces and the result is just puurfect
