AIBU to think AI chatbot “girlfriends”/porn are the lesser evil?

[OrangeCarrot]

At work recently, a group of my colleagues were talking about these AI chatbot “girlfriends” (like something called Janitor AI, apparently) that people use to have conversations with, including sexual ones. I had no idea this was a thing! At first, I was quite shocked to hear about it, but after giving it some thought, I’m starting to wonder if this is actually a lesser evil compared to real porn.

I mean, with AI, there’s no exploitation of real people, no one is being coerced or objectified, and no one’s body is being commodified. It seems like, in a way, this could be a more ethical option, especially when you think about all the issues with the porn industry. On the other hand, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something weird or dystopian about it.

So, AIBU to think that these AI chatbots might actually be a “better” alternative to real porn? Or am I totally off-base here?

Dystopian is the word. Good that it avoids the exploitation of the porn industry but imagine what it does to you inside to use something like this. The human race can just pack up and go home.

It will just become more and more extreme, though, as the behaviour won't be deemed illegal. And it's naive to think that won't affect how men relate to women in the real world.

Men will get used to speaking to these chatbots however they want and their attitude will seep into real life. It's dangerous.

It's very sad that your expectations of men are so low that you are debating which of these is more acceptable than the other.

It's weird and creepy and sad and if I was surrounded by men discussing their ai "girlfriends" at work. I'd try to steer clear of them.

It might seem less harmful, but like with porn in general, it could give some people some warped ideas about the real world. AI will probably have no limits to the depravity of acts it depicts. It could lead to a whole new level of creepiness in the behaviour of many men. I'd be particularly worried about the effect on boys growing up with no boundaries in the virtual world and how this will shape their behaviour.

Not sure I agree with this. The majority of men use porn. There’s no point being in denial about it.

A lot of men use porn. A lot don't.
It doesn't mean to say women should just accept a man in her life using porn/ sexworkers/ Ai girlfriends etc.
Better to be in no relationship than a relationship with a misogynist

I never said otherwise?

Yeah, totally harmless. Not

www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67012224

I doubt that it would remain 'there'

Eventually they wouldn't be enough but the men would still have no clue how to relate to real women

And therein danger lies...

Have you done a survey?

it's naive to think that won't affect how men relate to women in the real world

This. Whether it’s ‘traditional’ porn, AI, Only Fans stuff or prostitution, it has an impact on how all women are viewed.

I think something like this will only make these sorts of men worse. I think it would fully encourage them to push the boundaries in what they say and think and therefore make them even more misogynistic and predatory.

So if you accept both are not acceptable in a relationship what is the point of debating which is " less evil" ?

Where in my OP did I say it was harmless? I’m comparing it to the consumption and demand for real porn.

There are many published surveys that are easily accessible.

The way AI is heading scares the hell out of me! The fact AI systems are developing their own language that even the developers now can't understand is really worrying. Where is it going to end!

I’m not saying it’s something I’d be okay with, just trying to get my head around the ethics of it. I think that’s why I’m debating it, even though ultimately I wouldn’t want either in a relationship. I believe discussing things like this is important and far better then stifling any discussion just because some people don’t like the topic.

No I don't think it's better. It's training 'users' that they can interact with the AIChatbot with no regard for the affect of their words / thoughts /inclinations. This will seep into their real life interactions with real human women.

I imagine in the same way that a certain type of gentleman back in the day would disregard womens opinions because his wife /daughters/servants had no autonomy either.

No, not ok. You are extremely naive to think it won't impact women and girls even if it doesn't include direct exploitation.

Well actually I agree that pornography, prostitution- both in real life and online as presented on eg Only Fans etc - and Ai girlfriends should be discussed openly.
But from the point of view of the very real and researched negative impacts of them.
I think I object to the presentation of the thread that some of these are somehow " better " than others and the implication that women should accept that " all" men use them and women should therefore just accept their use.

I’m not convinced that chatting to a real person on a chat room is worse than chatting to a AI bot. I think that over time men will start to forget how to relate to real women and use sex workers or apps to get one time casual sex. Even the scummy types who want to send dick pics will often be censoring themselves a little when talking to a real woman where as I think that they will say what they really think straight away to an AI chat bot. They may push boundaries they wouldn’t normally cross with a real woman because they are interested in the programmed reply. For example how would an AI chat bot respond to someone describing how they would like to murder her?

I’d also be concerned about a rise in people becoming attached to sex chat bots. They provide a safer experience in that they won’t pressure you to meet up or send you dick pics but I think that you’d end up with more incel types who can’t understand why real women run a mile from the sort of content that works with AI.

This. How pathetic. Some women here will do anything to excuse men’s behaviour.

I really don’t understand this kind of hostility and rudeness. I see it a lot on MN.