eLeanor, 24, is a historian from Poland and a university lecturer in Warsaw. Isabel, 25, works as a detective for the NYPD. Brooke, 39, is an American homemaker who enjoys the vibrant Miami lifestyle, supported by her often-absent husband.
All three women engage in unfaithfulness and exchange nude photos and explicit videos via the growing number of adult dating sites that present an increasingly realistic array of AI companions for subscribers willing to pay a monthly fee.
At the TES Adult Industry Conference held in Prague last month, the attendees noted a surge in new platforms allowing users to form relationships with AI-generated girlfriends, who strip in exchange for tokens bought through bank transfers.
The creators of this new venture assert that it marks an advancement over webcam services, where real women remove clothing and converse with men, potentially leading to exploitation in certain sectors of the industry. They also contend that AI performers do not suffer illnesses, do not require breaks, are not exhausted at the end of their shifts, nor do they experience humiliation from client demands.
“Would you rather choose porn rife with abuse and human trafficking, or interact with AI?” asked Steve Jones, who operates an AI porn site. “We’ve heard about human trafficking where girls are forced to be on camera for 10 hours a day. There’s never an AI girl that’s trafficked. There’s never an AI girl forced or humiliated in a scene.”
“Would you rather choose porn rife with abuse and trafficking, or interact with AI?” says Steve Jones. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos
Most websites feature a ready-made girlfriend option, typically depicting smiling, young, white women, but also grant subscribers the chance to craft their own ideal online companion. This option reveals developers’ perspectives on the ideal female archetype. One site offers options ranging from film stars and yoga instructors to florists and lawyers. Personality traits include “Obliging: Submissive, Eager to Please,” “Innocent: See a Cheerful, Naive World,” and “Career-oriented: Nurturing, Protective, Always Comforting.” Users can specify age and even request a teenage model, along with choices for hair, eye color, skin tone, and breast size.
The increasing appeal of AI girlfriends has generated concern among women’s rights activists, who argue that they reinforce harmful stereotypes. In her book, The New Age of Fascism, Laura Bates notes that AI companions are “programmed to be charming, gentle, and subservient, always telling you what you want to hear.”
Amid rising worries regarding AI-generated images of child sexual abuse, the Prague conference developers spoke about an integrated moderation system that prevents users from creating illegal content by flagging keywords and phrases like “children” and “sister.” However, many platforms permit users to dress their AI girlfriends in school uniforms.
Products showcased at the TES conference in Prague. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos
A representative from Candy.ai, one of the new AI dating platforms exhibited at the conference, mentioned that their AI girlfriends offer diverse services. “If you seek an adult-oriented relationship similar to porn, that option exists. Or if you prefer deep discussions, that’s available too. It all depends on the user’s wants,” he explained. While the majority of users are heterosexual men, AI boyfriends are also on offer. Some pre-made AI girlfriends are designed to undress quickly. “Others may say: ‘No, I don’t know you.’ Thus, you need to cultivate your relationship with them for something like that.”
The growth of AI girlfriend platforms has been fueled by advancements in large-scale language models, enabling more lifelike interactions with chatbots and rapid innovations in AI image generation. Most sites continue to focus on text and images, yet brief AI-generated videos are increasingly common. Demand is particularly high among users aged 18-24, many of whom are gamers familiar with avatar customization.
Over the past year, new startups entering the sector have surged dramatically. “AI products are emerging like mushrooms, dynamic and ephemeral. They appear, fizzle out, and then are replaced by another wave,” commented Alina Mitt of Joi Ai, a site dedicated to “AI-Lationships.” “To survive in this market, you need to be bold and resilient. It’s like a fierce battle.”
The developers presented rapid advancements in the realism of AI-generated pornographic images and the transition to engaging AI video clips. Daniel Keating, the CEO of a company providing AI girlfriend experiences, showcased the distinctions between mediocre and high-quality AI companions. His platform offers users numerous AI-generated women in their lingerie, stressing that inferior quality AI tends to exhibit “overly polished plastic smoothness” on the skin, while high-quality AI girlfriends incorporate “natural skin textures, imperfections, moles, freckles, and slight asymmetries that appear much more authentic.”
UK regulator Ofcom highlights updates to the UK’s online safety laws at TES Prague. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos
His company managed to license the images of established adult stars to produce AI replicas, generating continuous income streams. “It’s profitable and cost-effective. Creators love this because they are relieved from the need to dress up and shoot content,” he noted.
An advertising executive from Ashley Madison expressed interest in the rapid expansion of a site focused on AI relationships, which caters to individuals seeking discreet connections. “AI dating is brand new territory for us. How do you compete against those who can mold their own fantasies instead of pursuing real relationships with women?” she inquired, requesting anonymity. “Some people wish to create something appealing in their minds, thus avoiding genuine connections.”
“You don’t need to go out on dates, acquire girlfriends, or build romantic relationships. AI serves as a safe space for young people to hone their social skills,” explained Jones, adding that AI allows for unfettered behavior without repercussions. “People might say things to AI that they wouldn’t dare convey to real individuals. ‘Oh silly girl, what’s the matter?’ In fantasy role-playing games, participants often prefer experiences distinct from reality.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
