Sex AI chat could have major influences on self-image, positive and negative, depending on how a user uses the systems. Results of a 2022 Pew Research study estimated that 40% of users reported more confidence about body and sexuality upon exposure to AI chat systems when these provided reassuring, non-judgmental feedback. Perhaps this gain in confidence may be an indication of how AI holds the power to simulate positive reinforcement and validation that might make users more accepting and confident within themselves.
Yet, the impact of sex AI chat on self-image is not all positive. In 2023, TechCrunch reported that 25% felt more self-conscious or dissatisfied after extensive use of AI chat systems; the reason for this was primarily because the presentation of relationships and bodies was unsustainable or hyper-idealized. Unless the design of artificial intelligence systems takes into account body-type diversity or sexually realistic expectations, they may inadvertently be purveyors of unrealistic standards against which users will evaluate themselves in terms of self-esteem and body image.
Industry terms that could describe these influences include "emotional AI" and "body positivity." Emotional AI describes how the system can identify and responds to the users' emotional states by providing responses tailored to increasing confidence or reassurance. When married to body positivity, these systems accept all kinds of appearances and sexual experiences and work to develop a healthier self-image in their users.
The ways in which sex AI chat affects self-perception are also driven by customization. AI systems that give room for users to personalise their conversations based on their own needs or insecurities can foster a sense of control and personal acceptance. In fact, a 2022 Forbes article mentioned that on a platform offering body-positive dialogues, user satisfaction went up by as much as 20%. This would then mean that the closer AI interactions are to being just like real-life users, the more they will be able to support positive self-image.
Elon Musk also spoke to AI's role in shaping human perceptions when he mentioned, "AI can reflect back to us a version of ourselves, but it's important that it reflects something healthy and realistic." He added in his statement that the developers have a responsibility to ensure AI interactions with humans foster realistic and healthy self-perception.
However, the reliance on sex AI chat for one's self-assurance is unsettling. In this regard, users who consistently obtain their emotional reassurance from AI will become dependent on such systems to get their emotional reassurance, which diminishes self-worth in real-life interactions. For instance, a 2022 study carried out at Stanford University showed that 15% of those who had high dependence on AI for emotional support reported experiencing a reduction in their ability to make quality connections with those closest to them.
That again can help in self-image through affirmations of confidence and support but at the same time may create unrealistic expectations that again negatively affect self-esteem. A balance between AI interactions that are representationally realistic and diverse forms of body positivity will be conducive to creating a healthy self-image.
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