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

Open Access: No.

Abstract

This paper begins by presenting several key societal reasons for the rise of sex robots and defining them. By analyzing multiple themes in relevant academic books, articles, essays, and digital  media discourses, this thesis explores the current debate about the possibilities and dangers of sex robots replacing human partners. In the context of the humanization of sex robots, the future of human relationships, and a media discourse that associates the use of sex robots with rape, paedophilia, and gender equality, we are seeing the artificial attributes of robots as a threat to a perceived gradual blurring of human subjectivity. However, there are positive aspects of human interaction with sex robots. For example, for the elderly or the socially challenged, sex robots can enable them to have a more satisfying sex life, even if they have difficulties in establishing relationships.

Relevance

“I have argued that there is at least one circumstance in which it is appropriate to describe a sex act with a robot as the “rape” of the robot—where such an act would function as a representation of the rape of a woman. Thinking about this scenario—and variations thereof—suggests that both the rape of realistic female robots and the design of robots that may be raped will be morally problematic for what it expresses about women and about the character of the user. It has also revealed that the design of realistic female sex robots more generally may be problematic, again for what it expresses about women. Finally, I hope my discussion has shown both that feminist critics of pornography have much to teach engineers.”

Citation

Sparrow, R. (2017). Robots, Rape, and Representation. International Journal of Social Robotics, 9, 465-477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-017-0413-z