How AI is changing adult entertainment industry
What's the story
The adult entertainment industry has always been a testing ground for new technologies. From the printing press to video and internet streaming, each innovation has disrupted the status quo. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is making its mark in this space. Despite some companies hesitating to adopt AI, the technology is already being used to create explicit content at an unprecedented rate.
Technological shift
AI's impact on adult content creation
The emergence of AI has led to a major shift in the production of adult content. Porn sites are now flooded with AI-generated videos and images, as big tech companies look for ways to monetize their advanced models. For instance, xAI's Grok already has a "spicy" mode that can create explicit images and videos. OpenAI plans to provide erotica on ChatGPT from December, albeit only for verified adults.
Market growth
The financial potential of AI in adult entertainment
The financial potential of AI in the adult entertainment industry is huge. Global Commerce Media, a research group, estimates that the market for AI-driven adult content will be worth $2.5 billion this year. It is projected to grow at a steady rate of 27% per year until 2028. This rapid adoption of AI raises existential questions about its impact on performers and traditional porn studios/platforms that have long dominated the industry.
Customization
Creating personalized adult content
AI's ability to produce customized porn on demand is a game-changer. Users can now summon an ideal partner with specific characteristics and have them act out fantasies. There are also sexbots that generate text and audio-based erotica from simple prompts. However, the technology is not without its drawbacks, as "nudify" apps that convert images of clothed people into plausible nudes have become popular among schoolyard bullies.
Industry evolution
AI's role in the future of adult entertainment
The rise of AI has also changed the role of human on-screen talent. A study published in Cognition and Emotion found that participants were aroused by what they thought were AI-made images, but less so than those showing real people. This suggests that while demand for human performers may not vanish entirely, it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete with machine-made porn as technology advances.
Job transformation
Impact on amateur actors and models
For amateur actors and models, AI is a useful tool to streamline their work. Most now make money directly from fans on subscription platforms, acting as porn stars, cameramen, editors, and administrative assistants. AI video generators have reduced the time taken to produce a polished two-minute clip from days to hours. Chatbots handle private messaging work for creators at a fraction of the cost of hiring real people.
Legal challenges
Distribution and copyright in adult entertainment
AI has also affected the distribution of porn. Studios now face the risk of their videos being used to train bots without compensation or consent. In July, Strike 3 Holdings sued Meta for allegedly violating copyright rules by training its models using its films without permission. Platforms hosting adult content are also faced with the decision of whether or not to allow AI-generated content, which could make or break their business depending on how technology evolves.