Cybersex, Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sex Robots, Sex Dolls

Open Access: No.

Abstract

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have begun to influence almost all aspects of life, including romantic relationships. Despite many companies and other entities now utilizing AI technology to produce products and media that may influence romantic relationship engagement and behavior, few studies to date have attempted to document or describe the ways that individuals engage with multiple AI technologies for romantic or sexual purposes in large national samples. Using a large quota national sample taken from the United States of 2,969 adults, in this exploratory study we sought to examine engagement with AI technologies, specifically the use of image generation of men and women on social media, chat technologies meant to simulate romantic or sexual partners, and AI generated pornography. Results suggested that engagement with AI technologies is relatively high, especially among young adults in their 20’s, suggesting that these emerging technologies represent an element of modern sexual behavior and romantic relationships that warrant further attention. A sizable minority of young adults reported using AI technologies romantically or sexually, including almost one in four young adults engaging with AI chat technologies to replicate romantic interactions. Regression results suggested that various demographic factors predict engagement with AI technologies and that AI technology use was associated with negative individual well-being. These initial descriptive results suggest the need for further research on this emerging behavioral phenomenon as an important component of modern romantic and sexual interactions.

Relevance

“Perhaps the first and most important takeaway from these results is that engagement with AI technologies designed to simulate romantic partners” – including sexually – “is higher and more widespread than many may think…Our results, drawn from a large national sample from the United States, suggest that a significant portion of adults have at least experimented with these AI technologies, with many utilizing these technologies on a weekly or monthly basis…about one-fourth of young adults reported using AI technologies highlighting romantic or sexual relationships.”

The study, too, “found that being religious” and “being in a commitment relationship” were both associated with greater odds of seeking out AI pornography and engaging in AI-based romantic chats.

Using AI romantic/sexual chat platforms, as well as AI pornography, were both “significantly related to higher depressive symptoms.” AI pornography use, too, “was significantly associated with less reported life satisfaction.”

Citation

Willoughby, B. J., Dover, C. R., Hakala, R. M., & Carroll, J. S. (2025). Artificial connections: Romantic relationship engagement with artificial intelligence in the United States. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075251371394