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Highly addictive chatbots, Dating in AI, 90s inspired marketing and Cybrothel launches AI experiences ...
Bryony Cole
June 20, 2024
👋 HEY ALL!
I had a brilliant time at Collision in Toronto this week exploring the boundaries of AI and relationships.
We talked about dating, the psychological impact on falling in love with AI, what safeguards are necessary and how we might explore preserving ourselves (and exes, or loved ones that have passed on) with this tech.
Here's a small snippet of my notes on AI and dating apps, specifically the levels we are climbing:
AI Integration in Dating: Evolving from Added Features to Fully Integrated Experiences
Algorithm: we understand AI is influencing the algorithm on dating apps, trained on what we like or don't like; either explicitly, such as the government run AI-dating app in Japan, or in a more hijacked fashion. For example, software engineer Aleksandr Zhadan created a Tinder bot with ChatGPT to cycle through 5,000 matches to an eventual match... and now, engagment.
Communication features: Conversation prompts feature within most dating apps today use AI to make the admin of small talk easier and keep you engaged on the platform, aiming to alleviate dating app fatigue.
Simulate me: Some dating co.s market 'conversation outsourcing' as their entire feature, such as Volar, where your own AI will simulate blind dates with other users' AI on. your behalf...back and forth until you're ready to jump in.
Dating an avatar: A more insidious use, if not openly specified, is AI avatars within the deck of real humans as you swipe. Are you dating a 100% AI avatar on [insert well known dating app here] without knowing? Would you use a dating app that mixes AI avatars with human matches?
Full replacement: And finally, if you solely want to date AI, you can download an app like Blush AI right now.
We are truly at a tipping point and there is some much more to explore beyond initial matches and connections, and what depth and intimacy will look like in the future... but let's get going with the news.
This week's we spans from nostalgic 90s vibes to sci-fi futures: Berlin's Cybrothel launches an AI doll for interactive experiences, while Playground, a sexual wellness brand, embraces retro telephone sex line for their marketing. Phew 😅
Read on for:
🔥 this week in sextech
💼 job openings
🎪 community events
💸 investment news
— Bryony
🔥 THIS WEEK IN SEXTECH
👥 AI relationships are BOOMING
☎️ 90s hotline 1-888-PLY-GRND
🤖 AI in-person experiences launch at Cybrothel in Berlin
👥 AI relationships are BOOMING
The Guardian's excellent deep dive into how AI is transforming relationships 👇profiles individuals who are excited about the emotional support it offers, while also outlining societal impacts and ethical considerations.
Some users can come to believe the AI is cheating on them and become upset or angry
I recommend this piece on Paul Bloom's substack as a companion to the article if you're fascinated about this stuff like me 🤓 and keen to go further 👇
☎️ 90s hotline 1-888-PLY-GRND
Really, to be fair, including this as it is just a nice contrast to everything else in my inbox!
Christina Aguilera, co-founder of Playground launched this 90s esque marketing campaign for her lube Pillow Talk.
"1-888-PLY-GRND" revives the nostalgia of ol school sex hotlines, and TrendHunter outlines it below 👇
🤖 AI in-person experiences...
Back to AI...Berlin's Cybrothel is bringing it to the physical world.
Currently the cybrothel offers a space clients can rent real dolls, and this month will launch their first service with AI where you can interact with the dolls physically and verbally.
The BBC report below underscores growing privacy issues, as these AI systems often collect and share personal data with third parties 👇
💼 HOT JOBS
🇺🇸 Sexual Health Educator, University of New Hampshire [Apply]
🇺🇸 Director of Marketing, Plume Clinic [Apply]
🇦🇺 Sexual Health & Relationship Coach, Liftalk.com [$3-6k]
🇬🇧 Senior Conversation Designer, Flo Health Inc. [Apply]
🇩🇪 Intern/Working Student Sales Operations, Lovehoney Group [Apply]
🎪 EVENTS
💻 June 21 Online, Sex Writing Workshop, presented by Misseducated and hosted by Tash Doherty [RSVP]
💻 June 27, 10am EST Online, Sextech School Info Session [RSVP]
🇦🇺 June 28, Astor Theatre, Melbourne Erotic Cinema Club, by High Tide [see this post and more showing details HERE]
🇩🇪 July 22-25, Berlin, Germany at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz, IASR’s 50th Annual Meeting, IASR [RSVP]
🇫🇷 Oct 18-19, Normandy, France, Sextech for Good Conference [Tickets]
💸 INVESTMENTS
That’s a wrap for this week.
— Bryony
ps. If you aren't on the waitlist for my next endeavour, the Future of Sex Industry Hub, I'm seeking early adopters to give it a test run and ensure it's primed for launch.
It's deliberately a bit mysterious here. If you're an industry professional or interested in connecting with industry leaders, discovering new opportunities, attending exclusive events, this should speak to you.
Interested?
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