Personal Stance on the Use of Sex Robots
Nowadays, technological advancements facilitate human operations in every field, from controlling all appliances in their houses with a single touch on a smartphone to satisfying their needs with sex robots. After watching the BBC Three YouTube video and reading the article by Christian Wagner, I have mixed feelings. At the beginning of the video, Dr. Sergi Santos claimed that he worked on developing such robots because “people can afford it, it’s doable, and it can improve what there is already” (BBC Three, 2018, 4:59).
However, despite these robots meeting the demands of customers, I am still against these robots. Moreover, I believe that the phenomenon of digisexuality is concerning. Overall, I promote freedom and think people should have the right to engage in any consensual relationship they choose. Yet, the idea of some individuals renouncing their relationships with others in favor of sexbots is disturbing. Still, some believe there will be a time when humans will focus entirely on robots.
Ethical Reflections on Digisexuality and Human-Technology Intimacy
As one of the robot developers, Sergei, emphasized, “Scientists say that in 30 years people will have more sex with robots than humans” (BBC Three, 2018, 11:34). Especially considering the extent to which such robots have been refined, it would not be surprising. For instance, the android presented by Hiroshi Ishiguro looks significantly realistic and reacts to sensor messages (BBC Three, 2018). Nevertheless, when delving deeper into such a topic, it is evident that engineers mainly work on such projects to manipulate human emotion and create an attachment to robots.
Robot manufacturers can design and tailor bots to customers’ needs and force them to increase expenditures in their sector (Wagner, 2018). This will also work since “Sex Sells” and individuals are eager to pay to progress or continue their experience (Wagner, 2018, p.54). However, this poses significant ethical issues where companies prioritize revenue instead of promoting social good. Consequently, the ramifications of this will be not only distorted social norms but also harm done to the psychological well-being of many individuals.
References
BBC Three. (2018). The future of sex? | Sex robots and us [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Wagner, C. (2018). Sexbots: The ethical ramifications of social robotics’ dark side. Ai Matters, 3(4), 52-58. Web.