International Congress on the Future of Sextech | Where is Sex Going?

Virtual companions, sex dolls, smart toys… There’s no doubt that technology is taking up more and more space in our lives, and especially in our beds. Experts are meeting in Montreal these days to discuss it, as part of the 9^e congress edition Love & Sex with Robots. Explanations, issues and hopes, in four stages.

1. The Congress

Organized by associate professor in the UQAM sexology department Simon Dubé, the event brings together several big names in research on sextech. All weekend long, some twenty academics, authors and other international scientists will present the state of their studies, in an attempt to understand two things: how do technologies influence our sexualities, but also how do our sexualities influence technologies? We tend to forget this, but it is a fact: “Sexuality is also a driver of technological development,” says Simon Dubé, also a researcher at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, a pioneering institution in the field, often nicknamed the “Harvard” of sexuality studies. While this is a first for Montreal, we already know that the city should host the conference again next year for its 10th anniversary (note to those interested: with reduced prices for the general public, they say).

2. Inventory

Before going any further, a clarification. Because who says sextech said robots. But forget here Ex Machinaa 2014 science fiction film that featured the humanoid robot Ava. “This level of sophistication does not currently exist,” Simon Dubé, whom we met earlier this week, immediately states. Why? “For several reasons, but mainly because robotics is very expensive!” That said, there have been “major” advances in so-called “realistic” dolls that integrate artificial intelligence. We’re thinking of dolls with a voice, capable of interacting, in short, of having a conversation. “With ChatGPT, we’ve entered a new world.” Where the sextech has also made giant strides, it is on the side of conversational agents, with applications of the type Replica, Nomi and others, companions that are certainly virtual, but equipped with artificial intelligence. Note that if all this seems very abstract to you, the congress has given itself the mission of giving a voice to consumers of these “artificial partners”. Objective: “to debunk myths and prejudices, to stop talking about them in the third person, without involving them”, argues the organizer. Because yes, there are issues at stake at the sextechthere are “flats”, but also “extraordinary” things, in short, positive and negative points… “like in any relationship!”

3. Issues

So, let’s talk about it. In terms of the issues, these are already well known. We think of the social, ethical and feminist challenges, which are not unrelated to the dangers associated with the pornography industry, by the way. Could these technologies lead to a form of isolation, and in doing so encourage compulsive consumer behaviors? In terms of feminist issues, the question of the representation of women and power dynamics arises. We know that hypersexualized representations of virtual partners and other dolls are not very realistic. Are we encouraging unrealistic expectations? Worse: in terms of relationships, in terms of power games, “could our relationships with machines reinforce problematic behaviors?” Researchers have been looking into these questions for several years, in order to find answers here. “The conference aims to understand the phenomenon, develop solutions to the problems, and find ways to integrate technology in a harmonious manner,” says Simon Dubé.

4. Hopes

Several promising ideas and uses are already emerging. We are thinking of sex education (less embarrassing to ask questions to a robot for some), scientific research (easier to collect information with a robot than with a human for others). A UQAM team led by David Lafortune is also examining the potential of virtual reality to treat erectile dysfunction. Finally, and more generally, we know that for all sorts of reasons, some individuals have difficulty meeting and building relationships. But they still have needs, whether emotional or sexual. “We have an epidemic of loneliness in the world,” adds Simon Dubé. “Is technology a cure for everything? No. But why couldn’t technology be part of the solutions?” According to the researcher, we are witnessing a new “revolution” in this sense: “a revolution in the continuity of previous sexual revolutions; and this revolution will involve technology.”

Visit the congress website