Sex Robots- A Bane or Boon of Artificial Intelligence

When artificial intelligence is implanted in machines it makes them successful of self-learning through experiences like humans replacing human jobs of future. Artificially intelligent robots have the capability to perform tasks that humans could do alone. Recently an interesting development occurred in the robotics world which was the introduction of sex robots. These robots with their artificial beauty and artificial intelligence have the possibility to destroy the sanctity of marriage.

The appalling question is whether robots provides not just sex or be a companion that understands through repeated interactions with its partner and develops itself. This kind of scenario happened in the past where computers gradually became a better chess player than humans. Now the question arises is whether humans would have a choice to select their ideal robots to share their interests and passions.

Recently an episode of a well-known show was aired in National Geographic Channel where famous TV anchor Katie Couric conversed with sex robots. “Harmony” is a lesbian female sex robot who had one on one conversation with Katie Couric where the robot made repeated advancements to Couric. This was followed by a conversation with a male sex robot “Henry” who crossed the lines a bit in describing Couric.

This incident raised a lot of question in the human world like the rise of sex robots and its implications, what will be sex robots’ impact on marriage and will they tamper the institution of marriage by providing instant sex.

Looking from another perspective, robots could help in saving marriages by reducing infidelity since men could have multiple sex with robots without cheating on their wives. Now the question is will sex crimes be reduced because of the easy availability of instant sex.

In the past also there has been plastic sex doll which didn’t much attract the customers since they are no real competition for women. But it has come to a stage where electrically charged sex robots could move, talk and allure people. Technology has reached its peak, where every customer could customise their sex bots according to their requirements. Robots can be programmed to be different persons several times.

Dr. I D Pearson, the futurologist suggests that by 2050 most of the humans will be involved in a physical relationship with robots. Also, expertise in the industry says that mass production of sex robots will scale the price down to US$2000.

The one area expertise fails to understand is the complex characteristics of human relationships. Human mind demands constant change from what they need and what they are expecting. Since the human mind gets monotonous with repetition there is a possibility of sabotaging the human-machine relationship. To overcome this problem of the human mind, robots need to be constantly re-programmed at a reasonable cost.

In the present scenario, it is impossible even for the superior and foremost artificial intelligence to build a robot as a substitute for human relationships. But looking introspectively it could happen! Robots could play a significant supporting role in human beings lives.