Did you know that there is substantial scientific literature exploring how to enhance people’s willingness to reveal personal information to artificial intelligence (AI)? There is also research examining the attributes of robots that cause them to be perceived as safe and trustworthy. Are you aware that there's research that studies in which kinds of situations people will follow a robot's lead, and literally mimic the opinions or behaviors of robots? There’s a vast and fascinating accumulating literature that explores how to use AI and robotics to influence (manipulate?) humans. As a sex therapist, my mind often wanders to the ways this knowledge will eventually be utilized to turn sex tech into more compelling sex partners.

Much of this research is not intended for use in sex tech. In fact, two burgeoning areas of research are focused on how to modify robots and AI (the “brain” inside the robot) to be more compelling to children in educational environments and elderly people in need of assistance and companionship. Studies explore everything from AI voice tone, to amount of eye contact made with a human user, to words and phrasing that facilitate human trust and openness. Researchers study what visible characteristics of robots minimize the “uncanny valley,” or the creepy feeling some people experience when they see a robot sounding or behaving in a humanoid way. Obviously, the more engaging and enticing robots become, the more useful they will be in a wide variety of roles with people of all ages – including the role of artificial lover.

Here are just a couple of studies that may ultimately offer insight into the creation of more appealing AI and robotic lovers.

Information is power, and........

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