How AI, VR, And DLT Can Clean Up The Adult Entertainment Industry

Many people might have qualms over AI and VR in terms of adult entertainment. It raises a number of ethical questions in relation to the objectification of an element so central to the human experience.

But what is typically overlooked is how these technologies could enhance the human experience in a big way and have a beneficial effect. AI could actually bring a level of transparency to an industry that has been cloaked in opacity. In fact, it’s already happening.

Positive Use Cases of AI/VR in Adult Entertainment

The potential to replace real-life humans and the physical senses with computer-generated graphics and hardware technology is, in one way powerful, and in another quite scary. It might prompt people to question their definition of what’s real and what’s fantasy. But these deeper questions might be secondary in comparison to what the technology is actually used for.

Consider a victim of sexual abuse who has a fear of the opposite gender. The classical method of talking it through with a psychologist provides a measure of temporary relief but often fails as an ultimate method of closure and healing. In contrast, AI and VR could provide a number of simulations that the individual could go through in order to experience a full healing, risk-free. Inmates convicted of sexual abuse crimes could also go through rehabilitation via this method, instead of serving a sentence (and often repeating soon after release).

There are also considerable numbers of people who have social anxiety around the opposite gender, especially adolescents. It’s taboo to bring these subjects to light as there is potential for ridicule and social shaming. As long as the simulation is understood as a supplement to reality, and not the other way around, VR and AI offer tremendous benefits. If it is used so that the person can avoid reality (a very real and threatening problem) then it could serve to destroy character, integrity, and morality. There’s an unacknowledged difference between sheer escapism and the necessary support systems for the stresses of 21st-century living.

AI can also be used to delete revenge porn, as implemented on Facebook. This includes both videos and photos. With the rate of video and picture uploading on media sites, it took a while before we started the process of deleting irrelevant content at scale. Another realistic use case would be long-distance relationships, which can definitely be made stronger with VR devices and technology supporting more sophisticated communication between couples.

What’s Wrong With Adult Entertainment?

Intrinsically, there is nothing really ‘wrong’ with adult entertainment. It’s just a market. Markets are there so that freely consenting adult partiescan reach agreements for mutual benefit. Again, the only issue is where the markets are set up to exploit one party systematically. When this happens, it’s time for a change. **
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The main issue with adult entertainment is that the actual content creators are exploited. Again, it might actually be considered ‘taboo’ by some parties to view these content creators as an exploited group needing safeguards. But that’s precisely what they are. **
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They have no say over how content is distributed, by who, where, or how many times it is viewed. And, despite there being no official statistics in an ‘unofficial’ industry, it’s safe to say that most don’t get a fair share of the profits. Usually, where there is a lack of transparency, there is an inevitable lack of equality too.

DLT to the Rescue

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) can serve to clean up the adult entertainment industry in a slightly different way compared to AI and VR technology. DLT is all about the democratization of parties via a decentralized model of token sharing. It’s happening to most industries, and adult entertainment is no exception. **
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Take Splash, for example. The Splash blockchain allows adult content creators to retain ownership of their content with a transparent rewards model. The content will be on the blockchain as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), which are unique tokens of ownership that can be programmed with distinct attributes. Content creators get a share every time the content is sold and resold. Collectors and content creators can sell at their own price, or they can also host an auction for the content. **
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3% of each transaction is distributed to the token holders while another 3% goes to the Splash liquidity pool. The Splash network offers both traceability for the content and transparency for the funds. With smart contract functionality, the content can be programmed for specific purposes to restrict access to unwanted viewers, allow access to certain groups, or expire at a certain date. These are just typical examples - there is no end to how you can program NFTs using smart contracts.

Risk Factors

There are potential risk factors with AI, VR, and adult entertainment. As previously mentioned, the biggest risk is that people use these exclusively and forget about reality. They might be unable to function optimally as normal human beings if completely immersed in a pseudo environment all the time.

But we can’t mandate whether individuals choose to do this or not. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to spend his or her time accordingly. The main area of contention here would be those under the age of 18 who need protection. The effects of pornographic materialcan have an emotionally and mentally damaging effect on young individuals. And that’s just a 2D video. The effects of a 3D pornographic metaverse on young adults are undocumented, but it’s not an area for experimentation - we don’t know what psychological damage it could do. **
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It’s worth noting that VR is following adult entertainment as much as adult entertainment is following VR. Aside from video games, one of the main applications of VR is to fit into adult entertainment. Typically, innovations are made due to corporations who are interested in methods that would increase revenue streams. And you don’t invest in this research unless you already have lots of cash - and want to make more of it. **
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Which potentially leads back to the risk factor of centralization, but on a different layer. While DLT can eradicate illegitimate domination of NFT content ownership, the same might not be said with regard to VR hardware and the components within them. And who knows what adverts will pop up in your adult entertainment Metaverse, or what the AI bots will recommend?

A Bright Future for Adult Entertainment

There are pitfalls associated with the digitalization and sophistication of adult entertainment. In the same way, there were pitfalls associated with the rise of the internet and the rise of cryptocurrencies. From a broader perspective, the innovations are sorely needed to fine-tune the sector in the best possible way. **
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While AI and VR helps to enhance the experience, DLT ensures fair distribution for all parties and makes the content more affordable, viewable, and secure. Together, they can clean up the adult entertainment industry.

When deployed correctly, technology is a friend, not an enemy.

Feature image - courtesy of freepik.com