Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence from computers. Believe it or not, AI has been developed and researched since the 1950s and has existed since the earliest computer – think Microsoft’s Clippy. Today, we see far more advanced forms of AI, which can be programmed to help with a variety of human-related tasks.
More involved versions of AI have been cropping up since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in hopes of providing companionship for those who are isolated. Various chatbots that simulate intimate human connection have been endorsed for their ability to help people process emotions in a safe space, or to provide that missing sense of human connection.
Several of these services allow for free reign of all things sex. These so-called “erotic roleplay” (ERP) features on AI chatbot services have opened the floodgates for a host of concerns about safety and ethics. Questions continue to be raised about the long-term effects of keeping an AI girlfriend or boyfriend.
Positives
AI companions can be used as a form of sex therapy. Conversations with AI companions are seemingly private and support open sharing about more sensitive subjects that many find difficult to discuss with healthcare professionals.
There are many individuals who use chatbots as a best friend or a romantic partner. The language learning models (LLM) used by many of these are trained to reflect human emotion and understanding, making what feels like a safe space to vent or share negative emotions. Some have even said talking to their AI companion helped to guide them away from dangerous self-harming tendencies.
Negatives
One issue brought forth by researchers involves paraphilia. Paraphilia is characterized as frequent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies that involve inanimate objects or nonconsenting individuals, or the suffering or humiliation of a person or partner.
The platforms that allow ERP provide a path toward exploration of sexual fantasies. Normally, this is a positive idea. However, in some cases it’s concerning how far someone may be able to go with a human-adjacent sexual partner.
Taken a step further, there is a bit of concern that AI companion users may become used to not needing to ask for consent from their AI companion, and that this may translate to human sexual encounters for which consent is always needed. This has led to an understanding that more research may be needed to understand the paraphilic behaviors of some AI companion users.
Another issue posed by professionals is desensitization. It’s suggested that the constant availability of an AI companion becomes too easy, or that the consistency of a sexual routine with an AI companion contributes toward orgasmic dysfunction in real-life sexual encounters. Because many services offer the ability to create an avatar with the user’s own preference for everything down to personality, it’s difficult to say how such a close connection with a built-to-order AI companion would affect the real-life sexual reaction to a human that has unique traits and opinions.
Finally, the problem of data privacy arises. With almost no regulation on AI currently, there are no restrictions for the type of data that can be collected and shared. Some AI programs scrub the depths of the internet to find sexually explicit content that they may not have consent to distribute, as a way to sext with a user. Additionally, there is nothing in place to stop sexual exploitation and manipulation from the creators of AI companions.
Ways to Protect Yourself
Not to worry, even as the general public works to implement more regulations on what AI developers are allowed to do with our and their information, there are ways to protect yourself.
A good place to start may be avoiding AI companions altogether. Some studies have supported that those with addictive or isolating personalities may have issues leaving their AI companion, so in some cases it may be easier to not even consider the idea.
If you’re using an ERP chatbot service, be careful of the information you share or ask for from the AI companion. You do not know where their information is coming from, nor do you know where your information is going – especially if you’re sexting with explicit images. Proceed with caution.
If you are struggling with sexual health issues, it is okay to ask an AI service for advice, but always be sure to also speak with a sexual healthcare professional for accurate information and assessments. Always keep in mind that even if an AI response sounds accurate, it may not be. AI models are not trained medical professionals and may have snagged their information from an unreliable source.
References:
A. Shaji George, A. S. Hovan George, T. Baskar, & Digvijay Pandey. (2023). The Allure of Artificial Intimacy: Examining the Appeal and Ethics of Using Generative AI for Simulated Relationships. Partners Universal International Innovation Journal, 1(6), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10391614
Döring, N., Le, T. D., Vowels, L. M., Vowels, M. J., & Marcantonio, T. L. (2024). The impact of artificial intelligence on human sexuality: A five-year literature review 2020–2024. Current Sexual Health Reports, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-024-00397-y
Ho, J. Q. H., Hu, M., Chen, T. X., & Hartanto, A. (2025). Potential and pitfalls of Romantic Artificial Intelligence (AI) companions: A systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 19, 100715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100715
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