ACIS 2024 Proceedings

Abstract

This paper examines the dual potential of AI-enabled sexual technologies, or sexbots, to advance human socio-sexuality towards greater compassion or regress into cruelty and alienation. Despite growing interest, research on sexbots and digisexuality remains fragmented, with significant gaps in understanding their sociotechnical implications. Employing a dialectical inquiry approach, we explore how sexbots can simultaneously facilitate compassionate progress and pose risks of regressive cruelty. Integrating Schopenhauer’s 'compassionate imperative,’ the study outlines the key tensions and interactions between human and technical components of digisexuality. Preliminary findings in the ‘delineation’ stage suggest that sexbots offer both opportunities and constraints, capable of both enhancing human flourishing and exacerbating harmful social behaviours. When completed, we expect the study to contribute to digital ethics by providing a nuanced understanding of sexbots and their societal impacts, thereby guiding future research on responsible sexbot innovation, regulation, and use.

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