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In just a few years, message flirting and sexting have become common practices. This shift can largely be attributed to the popularity of dating apps like Tinder. Whitney Wolfe Herd, one of the co-founders, even ended up leaving the company to start Bumble, another globally renowned dating app that focuses on protecting its users with stricter limits on potentially intrusive content.
In one way or another, these platforms have started a revolution in how people interact and engage in relationships, both virtually and in reality, making these practices more accessible and socially accepted.
For example, the previously mentioned Bumble app, where women make the first move, aimed to redefine the dynamics of power and initiative in virtual exchanges.
But until now, if we compared real to virtual exchanges, it was always (with very few exceptions) human-to-human interactions.
Today, a new kind of revolution is emerging with the sudden rise of NSFW AI chatbots. These artificial intelligences, designed for virtual and intimate interactions, open up unprecedented possibilities, particularly because of the nature of the human-to-machine exchange. But this also raises questions about the potential impact on existing human interactions.
In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between exploring desires with AI and traditional methods, while highlighting aspects of consent, self-discovery, and the paradox of extreme freedom.
Comparison: NSFW AI Chatbot vs. Exploration of Desires and Fantasies
NSFW AI chatbots share some similarities with human interactions in flirting and sexting. Like with a human partner, they allow for the interactive and personalized exploration of desires and fantasies.
However, a major difference emerges. The level of emotional involvement is incomparable. Indeed, what often prevents humans from learning about themselves through someone else's eyes (understanding another human) is fear. The fear of rejection, judgment, the unknown, and risk…
Examples
- Imagine an AI chatbot as a virtual fitness coach for your desires, encouraging you to try new "exercises" without fearing ridicule.
- Think of an AI chatbot as an interactive diary, capable of responding and reacting to your most secret thoughts, allowing for unprecedented introspection.
However, an AI chatbot does not judge, which offers a completely free space for exploration.
"To win without peril, one triumphs without glory"?
On the other hand, since we were talking about emotions, it is legitimate to assume that an AI might lack the authenticity and deep emotional connection one can find with a human partner. Yet, if some individuals, hurt by their peers, turn to connections with animals, plants, or objects, perhaps the depth of a relationship should only be subjectively perceived.
Examples
- It's a bit like talking to the automated customer service of Deliveroo or Uber Eat, which knows all your food preferences but can never share a real meal with you.
- It's like reading a novel where you are the protagonist of a great love story, but you are missing the memories of this supposedly shared experience.
While some people might find this absence of judgment liberating, others may experience a lack of emotional intensity. This duality is reminiscent of the exploration of traditional kinks, where some necessarily require an intense emotional connection, while others prefer a transactional relationship with only consent, anonymity, and no judgment.
Consent and Comfort Zones
In any intimate interaction, consent is paramount. With AI chatbots, while it's easy to disregard the consent of an algorithm, it's crucial not to forget to clearly define one's own boundaries and ensure that the interaction framework remains comfortable and secure. Learning to say no and adjust your boundaries is essential for a positive experience.
Examples
- Think of a video game session. You need to set your game parameters before starting to ensure you don't enter a level that's too difficult or uncomfortable.
- Consider an exchange with an AI as a therapy session. It's crucial to know and respect your own limits so as not to open emotional wounds that you're not ready to handle.
Specific, informed, and revocable consent must be the norm, even in exchanges with an AI.
It's easy to forget to take care of oneself in a space perceived as risk-free. Acceptable vulnerability means that the only human in the interaction must remain constantly attentive to their own emotions and reactions, and know when to stop if the experience becomes uncomfortable or disturbing.
Examples
- It's like embarking on a marathon of TV series. You can stop at any time if it becomes too intense or if you need a break because certainly, Netflix won't do it for you.
- It's comparable to exploring your own painful memories. You must be ready to stop and withdraw if the experience becomes too burdensome to bear.
Learning and Self-Discovery
NSFW AI chatbots can be powerful tools for learning and self-discovery. They provide a judgment-free space to explore fantasies that one might hesitate to share with a human partner. This can help in understanding one’s own desires and limitations, while offering an opportunity for personal reflection.
Examples
- Using an AI chatbot to explore your fantasies is a bit like having a virtual dance partner. You can try new moves without fear of stepping on someone else's toes.
- It's like playing a VR game where you can immerse yourself fully, without the fear of real-life consequences.
However, it's important not to lose yourself in this exploration. Using AI to discover your fantasies should always be accompanied by a reflection on what these experiences mean for oneself, and how they can integrate healthily into one's own life.
Examples
- It's like shopping in a clothing store. You can admire and try on clothes, but you must always consider what fits with your existing wardrobe.
- It's similar to meditation. You explore your mind, but you must always return to reality with a clearer understanding of yourself.
Extreme Freedom and Constraint
The extreme freedom offered by AI chatbots can sometimes be paralyzing. Being able to ask anything and say everything without fear of judgment can create a sense of emptiness and discomfort. What do I really want? Who am I at the end of the day?
Thus, some people might find it useful to be guided by AI, actively seeking some form of constraint to reduce the mental load of constantly having to choose and know what they want.
Examples
- It's like standing in front of an all-you-can-eat buffet. The variety is overwhelming, but sometimes you'd prefer a set menu brought to your table so you don't have to think or choose.
- It can be likened to a journey without a pre-defined itinerary. Freedom is exhilarating, but the necessity of making constant decisions can become exhausting. Sometimes, following a guide can offer a welcome relief.
This dynamic is not unlike power plays in human relationships, where constraints can sometimes provide a form of freedom by relieving the burden of decision-making. This is where roles of mastery, expertise, or mentorship can take on full meaning.
Conclusion
The future of human interactions with NSFW AI chatbots presents scenarios that are both promising and concerning.
Examples
- Imagine a future where AIs are like advanced imaginary friends who help us navigate our desires without judgment.
- Think of a future where AIs act as spiritual guides, helping individuals explore the depths of their psyche in a secure and positively supported way.
On the other hand, a more negative outlook could see human interactions replaced by exchanges with AIs, leading to normalized emotional responses and increased social disconnection. Indeed, one should not confuse solitude with boredom, although neither should inherently carry a negative connotation.
Examples
- It's like preferring to play video games alone rather than going out or playing games with friends. Fun in the short term, but potentially isolating in the long term.
- This might evoke a dystopian future where human relationships are replaced by simulations, comparing humans to parallel lines that never intersect, despite constant interaction with artificial entities.
Clearly, the key lies in balance and reflection on how we use these technologies. As long as curiosity and exploration remain human traits, the proverb "it takes all kinds to make a world" will remain truer than ever, whether its protagonists are virtual or real...
