Sex Work Today
In the latest frontier of sex work, prostitutes are being replaced by “intergalactic pleasure dolls” that have a heart of gold, super-flexible limbs, and a willingness to try anything. These dolls are marketed as an alternative to the real thing and are the first of their kind to be used in a brothel.
Kokeshi, a sex robot with a mission “to spread pleasure consciousness in a shame-free environment,” plies her trade at the Cybrothel in Berlin. She boasts facial piercings, a wide array of bondage gear, and is designed to fulfill every desire. Her owner, Alexis Smiley Smith, has given her “a real personality,” allowing her to interact with clients through strategically placed cameras and microphones, creating an “analog AI” experience.
Kokeshi’s capabilities include simulating orgasms, moaning, and even speaking, making her a popular choice for clients who are too shy to explore their fantasies with human partners. According to Smith, the doll has even helped to bring couples together, with one wife throwing herself into the AI experience to eventually open up to her partner in the bedroom.
Despite the threat posed by advanced technology, sex work is unlikely to be replaced completely by dolls. As the authors of the book “Sex Work Today” note, there is something about spontaneous human connection that people desire, perhaps more than sex itself. While dolls may never replace human sex workers, they may have a place in the industry, potentially in the closet.
As for the future of sex work, the authors predict that by 2045, one in ten young adults will have had a sexual encounter with a humanoid robot, but they are uncertain about exactly what role doll brothels will play in future sex tech enterprises. One thing is certain, however: the human need to connect will always drive the demand for human intimacy.