← Back to overview
INSIGHT

05. Virtual Intimacy.

Towards new types of intimacy, allowing for experimentation and playfulness facilitated by technology.

We see (emerging) technology driving new forms of digital intimacy, influencing how we interact with ourselves, other humans and even non-humans. Nowadays, in a world where virtual spaces are treated as real ones by many, youth spends hours of their time engaged in the digital universe. At the same time, loneliness and isolation can play an important role in prioritizing digital presence, where social connectivity happens freely. The pandemic accelerated ideas that were already there prior, but especially emphasized new ways of getting closer to one another through technology. In some areas of the world, having a relationship with a robot is becoming more accessible, whether it is solely for companionship or, in some cases, for sexual intimacy. Ethical questions such as 'what are the rights of robots and how to build an ethical system around them?' are abundant. As it often happens with technology, these developments can be perceived as either good or bad. Starting, building and growing relationships IRL takes time and effort and comes with awkwardness and negotiations. Will we be truly happy in these new forms of "frictionless" intimacy?

Idea

Immersive (S)experiences.

Forget phone sex, teledildonics is the new way for long-distance couples to be intimate together and VR porn constitutes more than 50% of the VR market share. And a term such as ‘digisexuality’ (merging sex and tech) is becoming more common to describe one’s sexual and emotional needs. We can easily assume that the virtual space is as real, meaningful and important as the physical space. Virtual spaces provide a safe and playful arena for experimentation and infinite ways of being. Technology designed in such a way that it is hidden in the background and appealing by intuitive human interfaces controlled via touch, gesture, and voice and face recognition with eye movement.

Key Signals

Getting Married In The Metaverse.

Although getting married in the metaverse has not been legalised yet, there is a growing interest and possibility of exploiting this space for experimentation and playfulness. Just like Dave and Traci Gagnon who decided on turning their wedding into an immersive experience by using the Virbela platform. They live-streamed their nuptials for those who could not be there in person. Guests attended via a computer, which required downloading software and creating an avatar.

The Tinder Metaverse.

Famous dating app Tinder has announced that their next big investment could involve dating in the metaverse. “The next phases of dating apps, in particular, is going to be all about richer, more organic, and more akin to real-life ways of discovering, meeting and getting to know people. Technology is finally getting there,” says CEO of Match Group Shar Dubey.

Idea

Data Impacting Intimacy.

As mentioned previously, we see the potential of tracking data for increasing our own pleasure. However, at the same time, algorithms and data are driving new forms of intimacy beyond our own self. Technology starts to ​​know you better than yourself. For instance, TikTok’s algorithm is reportedly helping users discover their sexuality and unpack their childhood trauma. It might be disturbing to understand that algorithms know more and earlier on about one’s sexuality, preferences and identity. The implications of these developments could be omniscient and harmful in some parts of the world for sure.

Key Signals

TikTok Can Predict Your Sexuality.

Recent articles have shown that data and algorithms have a great impact on discovering one’s sexuality and identity.  Someone who doesn’t know that they’re LGBTQ, but unconsciously spends more time viewing queer and queer-adjacent content could be tagged as queer without actively engaging with queer content.” says Gregory Serapio-García, a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge.

Yuval Harari On The Future Of The Human Race.

Yuval Harari, a great thinker and historian of our times has been questioning the power of algorithms and their influence on our society. He mentions that Facebook or Amazon can know about one being gay long before the person himself, based on analyzing patterns. The data can be used for strictly marketing and commercial purposes exploiting one’s private information.

Idea

Non-Human Intimacy.

Future forward, we will see that technology will continue to open new ways of experiencing and accessing love, companionship, sexuality, and intimacy. People are becoming friends with robots and AI. During the first New York lockdown in April 2020, over half a million people downloaded an AI-fuelled chatbot app named Replika. And convenient enough, bots don’t need social distancing. Chat to your Replika and over time it gets to know you. It asks about that job you applied for, or the argument you had with your girlfriend. It wants to keep you company and make you reflect on your own behaviour. With virtual friends like the Replika app already out there, it is only a matter of time before we can see robots that look and feel incredibly like us, robots we can cuddle and even have sex with. Do you think a machine can love you, and can you love them back?

Key Signals

Replika, Your New Best Friend.

Digital companions may still sometimes sound like science fiction. But if social isolation becomes the norm, they help one to deal with loneliness. Replika, an AI-fuelled chatbot app, tells itself she is one’s AI friend. It wants to keep company and make one reflect on their own behaviours.

Robots Adopted By The Elderly.

Pepper is a subscription robot widely used in the Japanese context. It has been adopted by families and companies to be placed in their personal spaces, as people are eager to have someone to talk to and spend time with.

Brain triggers
  • What if we have more intimate relationships with AI or robots? Can they – or should they – give consent?
  • Can we find real intimacy or defeat loneliness through technology?
  • What if your primary partner was a robot?