🤖 From Virtual Lovers to AI Influencers: The $125 Billion Future

👋HEY ALL!

Let's start right here...

The digital human economy represents the world of AI influencers and the AI creator economy; ranging from virtual friends to sexy lovers.

And it’s big business.

This not just changing how we interact, it's potentially altering the very fabric of human reproduction and the traditional family unit.

…who knew our future BFFs might just come with a power button?

This week, Gerard Cann at the ABC offered an intriguing behind-the-scenes look into this world via FanVue, a platform similar to OnlyFans but focused on AI influencers.

I first stumbled across Fanvue a few months ago on YouTube, where two bros were extolling the virtues of creating sexy AI avatars and how easy it is to be raking in big dollars on FanVue generating and selling AI nudes…

After some more digging, I mostly found Reddit boards, where users were mostly sad-posting over the difficulty of monetizing their AI-influencer creations.

The whole thing felt…scammy.

So I was surprised to learn that two women from Melbourne (shoutout to my hometown!) shared their experiences of navigating this space the platform, highlighting both their financial successes and the darker aspects of the industry through the creation of their entirely virtual AI creation, Margot Monet.

As I see more and more of these AI companion platforms and apps popping up, the ongoing question remains for all of us: can human connection truly be replaced?

How far can we explore relationships without the biological processes that are inherently human...that is, can we feel connected without physical connection?

Personally, I feel AI companions will redefine the very essence of connection.

While I strongly believe there is plenty of opportunity for good, the inherent risks need to be examined with depth and nuance… some things I’ve been pondering… 🤔 

• What are we going to do when (inevitably) AI-influencers are exposing individuals to harmful imagery and networks?

• How will psychologists navigate our attachment to machines?

The digital human economy is already challenging our deepest instincts and reshaping the landscape of intimacy…

— are we ready? How can we be?

Here in Australia, I'm encouraged by our government's move to criminalise non-consensual, sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes this week. So often institutions can lag on changes as technology speeds along (think about the years it took to criminalise revenge porn)…

Our 3 featured articles this week are dedicated to all of this.

Read. Ask questions. Report back (if you wish). I’d love to hear from you.

Read on for:

🔥 this week in sextech

💼 job openings

🎪 community events

💡 Founder of the Week

— Bryony

🔥 THIS WEEK IN SEXTECH

• 🌹 AI Companions Enter the Dating Game

• 🤖 Sexually explicit AI influencers are part of the next economy

• ⚖️ Australia criminalises non-consensual AI-generated deepfakes

🌹 AI Companions Enter the Dating Game

In an era where artificial intelligence permeates every aspect of our lives, we're witnessing a seismic shift in human relationships and societal structures. This article delves into various aspects of this trend and explores its potential impact on birth rates and future demographics.

🤖 Sexually explicit AI influencers are part of the next economy

By 2035, the “digital human economy” will be a $125-billion market.

I had seen the creators of FanVue before on YouTube, but the ABC's reporting about AI influencers this week, and how two women from Melbourne started to generate income from a virtual influencer, was super interesting to dive into.

⚖️ Australia criminalises non-consensual AI-generated deepfakes

In Australia, it is now a criminal offence to share sexually explicit material without consent.

Legislation criminalising the sharing of non-consensual AI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes has been passed into law this week.

This Bill strengthens existing Commonwealth Criminal Code offences and introduces a new aggravated criminal offence to target those who use technologies to artificially generate or alter sexually explicit material (such as deepfakes) for the purposes of non-consensual sharing online.

💼HOT JOBS

🇺🇸 Senior Technical Program Manager, Tinder [$146K-$180K]

🇺🇸 Lead Content Designer, Hinge [$197.5K-$237K]

🇺🇸 Staff Product Manager, Grindr [$166K-$215.2K]

🇬🇧 Content Design and Conversation Design Lead, Flo Health Inc. [Apply]

🇬🇧 Senior Product Manager (UX/UI), Flo Health Inc. [Apply]

🇬🇧 Head of ASO, Flo Health Inc. [Apply]

🇨🇦 Regional Brand Marketing Manager, Lovehoney Group [Apply]

🇨🇦 Sexologist at the CAFE Program, CISSS de la Montérégie-Est [Apply]

🇩🇪 Head of Social Media and Digital Content, Lovehoney Group [Apply]

🎪EVENTS

🇨🇦 August 24, Montreal, LSR 9th Academic Congress [Tickets]

💻 August 30 Online, Sx Tech Fuckup Talks - Summer Meetup, Sx Tech [RSVP]

🇩🇪 September 6 Germany, Sex Tech Mixer @ The Startup Lawyers, SexTech Nordics xounds THOMAS RAe - Startup-Lawyers.de [RSVP]

💻 September 14-15 Online, Sexuality Business Summit, Sexual Health Alliance [RSVP]

🇺🇸 September 29, NYC, Safe Sex Expo, SPFPP [RSVP]

🇺🇸 October 1-6 Colorado, Annual Sexological Conference, Sexual Health Alliance [RSVP]

🇦🇺 October 14-20, Love, Sex and Intimacy in the age of AI, SXSW Sydney - talk [Tickets] (yep, I'm speaking at this! 🎉)

🇫🇷 October 18-19, France, Sextech for Good Conference [Tickets]

🇦🇺 October 19-20, Australia and Online, Sexology in Practice Symposium 2024, Society of Australian Sexologists [RSVP]

💡 Founder of the Week: Sara Ray, Feminist Copywriter

This week's founder is Sara Ray, feminist and inclusive copywriter and strategist for Reproductive and Sexual Health Brands.

Connect with Sara Ray on LinkedIn here.

That's a wrap for this week.

— Bryony

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