What are the risks of using AI to simulate a relationship? This is what sexologist Cecilia Ce warns

If we think of the experts in sexuality which explain different terms in simple, direct and without taboo language, the name of Cecilia Ce appears almost by default .

Recently, the Argentinian sexologist first Desire: understanding and transforming our great sexual engine (Diana, 2024), a book in which he shares tools and information so that readers can better understand their sexuality.

This, through didactic explanations and assuming that sexuality is diverse .

As its title indicates, the text is addressed from what sexual desire is to topics such as trauma, body signals, stress, medications, menopause, menstruation, body image, masturbation and reports which they have, among other points.

Along with this, it places strong emphasis on debunk myths that negatively impact people’s well-being and can reinforce harmful ideas or behaviors .

In addition to having his analysis, cites several surveys and authors which can be viewed if you wish to explore any of the topics covered in more depth.

This is the fourth book by Cecilia Ce after ATR Sex: The Sex Education We Want , Carnival for life: and let’s live a free and authentic sexuality And Bonding: practices for good sex .

But Cecilia Ce doesn’t just share her knowledge through editorial publications. He also talks about sex education on his Instagram account, which has over a million followers, and He even offers a live show where sex and science meet humor: it’s called Beer and sex party .

In fact, he presented it in 2023 in Chile and will do it again this Wednesday June 5 at the Nescafé Théâtre des Arts located in Providencia, Metropolitan Area.

“This show It allows us, through humor, to provide tools to enjoy full and safe sexuality, with precise and reliable information. because it is a right for everyone,” anticipates the sexologist.

ensures that “The idea is that it is a positive experience, with a subject that sometimes generates a lot of suffering and taboos” .

But beyond the meeting, From this media we consult Cecilia Ce, what is your vision of the different technological advances that could change our understanding of sexuality and sexual pleasure? .

Between them, There are artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots that promise to simulate romantic relationships with people by imitating voices, aspects or even movements.

However, They are not human beings, but rather mechanisms that seek to imitate them. .

Before specifically addressing AI, the expert specifies that Currently, a recurring consultation topic concerns “excessive and more compulsive consumption of pornography”. .

“With the consequences that this entails, at any age. Young people and adults, mostly men. It is not a question of generalizing, but of understanding case by case and the situation of each person, but we clearly see that after This creates great difficulty in concentrating on a real encounter, in connecting with others, in connecting with one’s own body, with excitement. “.

In this sense, the specialist specifies that “Today we know the changes it generates in the brain and the difficulties it presents” .

“We must understand that Masturbating is not the same as masturbating to pornography. . We have to differentiate it,” underlines Cecilia Ce in this context.

But beyond traditional pornographic content, There are some generative AI systems today that promise the creation of “couples” or “lovers” based on directions provided by users. .

They can thus interact with a program that pretends to be a person, but in reality it’s just a chatbot that imitates speaking or interacting like a human being would do.

Asked about these mechanisms and their potential effects, the sexologist emphasizes that “The greatest risk of all the social changes we are witnessing is loneliness” .

“This is for me my greatest concern: that everything encourages individualism and consumerism “.

“Beyond going into the detail of each technology and its consequences… looking at the macro situation, at the social level, where the world is going is towards solitude. This is my main concern and that is why everything I do is to connect people, bring them together, make them know each other and promote what is real, because Today, it is convenient for the system that you are at home connected to a screen. And we already know that it saddens us “.

Cecilia Ce points out that this type of use can be given to AI promote solitude .

At the same time, he says that “the other day At a sexology conference, they presented a study on ongoing research to generate the same brain response when touched by a machine as by a person. “.

“As it is not the same, They are trying to develop the technology to achieve this. I say, why do we want it to be a robot? If there are people next to us, why does a robot have to touch me and not a person? », asks the sexologist.

Under this line he states that “there is a breakdown in the collective, with the consequences that this brings (…) it is technological development at all costs and without regulation” .

“What’s the point of being touched by a robot if you can be with someone?” There, I have a look that I cannot negotiate. I understand that they talk about development, progress and everything else, but For me it’s alarming …”