SEXAI: Sexuality and Artificial Intelligence
Research Aim
This social science research project aims to investigate the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) tools on human sexuality.
The focus is on the sexuality-related use of generative AI tools in the everyday lives of young people and adults in different contexts such as:
- AI-generated sexual information,
- AI-supported sexual counseling and therapy,
- AI-powered romantic and sexual intimacy, and
- AI-generated erotica and pornography,
But it is also about the use of AI tools in sexual research, for example to support researchers in study planning, in the creation of survey instruments and experimental stimuli, and in data analysis.
Research ethics
For individual studies within the scope of the project, an ethics vote is obtained from the ethics committee of the TU Ilmenau.
Methodology
Various social science research designs and data collection methods are used, such as
- Qualitative and quantitative manual content analysis,
- Qualitative and quantitative surveys,
- Computational studies and
- Experimental studies.
Scientific Relevance
The project aims to help close existing research gaps on the significance of AI for human sexuality. This includes results on knowledge and attitudes, experiences and effects among users as well as characteristics of AI-generated sex-related content.
Practical Relevance
Project results can inform different fields of practice: They can help people in everyday life to better understand their personal sexual experiences with AI. They can provide sex education and sex therapy with suggestions for integrating AI tools into their professional work. They can educate policymakers about how AI should be regulated in the interest of sexual and reproductive health on an individual and collective level. They can inspire AI development to take greater account of sexual and reproductive health aspects. They can provide journalism with a basis for evidence-based reporting on AI and sexuality.
Funding
Self-financed
Project Duration
from 2024
