Forecast: Sex and Marriage With Robots by 2050
Forecast: Sex and Marriage With Robots by 2050
Monday, October 15, 2007
Humans could marry robots within the century. And consummate those vows.
"My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize marriages with robots," artificial intelligence researcher David Levy at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands told LiveScience.
Levy recently completed his Ph.D. work on the subject of human-robot relationships, covering many of the privileges and practices that generally come with marriage as well as outside of it.
At first, sex with robots might be considered geeky, "but once you have a story like 'I had sex with a robot, and it was great!' appear someplace like Cosmo magazine, I'd expect many people to jump on the bandwagon," Levy said.
The idea of romance between humanity and our artistic and/or mechanical creations dates back to ancient times, with the Greek myth of the sculptor Pygmalion falling in love with the ivory statue he made named Galatea, to which the goddess Venus eventually granted life.
This notion persists in modern times. Not only has science fiction explored this idea, but 40 years ago, scientists noticed that students at times became unusually attracted to ELIZA, a computer program designed to ask questions and mimic a psychotherapist.
"There's a trend of robots becoming more human-like in appearance and coming more in contact with humans," Levy said. "At first robots were used impersonally, in factories where they helped build automobiles, for instance. Then they were used in offices to deliver mail, or to show visitors around museums, or in homes as vacuum cleaners, such as with the Roomba. Now you have robot toys, like Sony's Aibo robot dog, or Tickle Me Elmos, or digital pets like Tamagotchis."
In his thesis, "Intimate Relationships with Artificial Partners," Levy conjectures that robots will become so human-like in appearance, function and personality that many people will fall in love with them, have sex with them and even marry them.
"It may sound a little weird, but it isn't," Levy said. "Love and sex with robots are inevitable."
Levy argues that psychologists have identified roughly a dozen basic reasons why people fall in love, "and almost all of them could apply to human-robot relationships. For instance, one thing that prompts people to fall in love are similarities in personality and knowledge, and all of this is programmable. Another reason people are more likely to fall in love is if they know the other person likes them, and that's programmable too."
In 2006, Henrik Christensen, founder of the European Robotics Research Network, predicted that people will be having sex with robots within five years, and Levy thinks that's quite likely.
There are companies that already sell realistic sex dolls, "and it's just a matter of adding some electronics to them to add some vibration," he said, or endowing the robots with a few audio responses. "That's fairly primitive in terms of robotics, but the technology is already there."
As software becomes more advanced and the relationship between humans and robots becomes more personal, marriage could result.
"One hundred years ago, interracial marriage and same-sex marriages were illegal in the United States. Interracial marriage has been legal now for 50 years, and same-sex marriage is legal in some parts of the states," Levy said. "There has been this trend in marriage where each partner gets to make their own choice of who they want to be with."
"The question is not if this will happen, but when," Levy said. "I am convinced the answer is much earlier than you think."
Levy predicts Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize human-robot marriage.
"Massachusetts is more liberal than most other jurisdictions in the United States and has been at the forefront of same-sex marriage," Levy said. "There's also a lot of high-tech research there at places like MIT."
Although roboticist Ronald Arkin at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta does not think human-robot marriages will be legal anywhere by 2050, "anything's possible. And just because it's not legal doesn't mean people won't try it," he told LiveScience.
"Humans are very unusual creatures," Arkin said. "If you ask me if every human will want to marry a robot, my answer is probably not. But will there be a subset of people? There are people ready right now to marry sex toys."
The main benefit of human-robot marriage could be to make people who otherwise could not get married happier, "people who find it hard to form relationships, because they are extremely shy, or have psychological problems, or are just plain ugly or have unpleasant personalities," Levy said. "Of course, such people who completely give up the idea of forming relationships with other people are going to be few and far between, but they will be out there."
The possibility of sex with robots could prove a mixed bag for humanity. For instance, robot sex could provide an outlet for criminal sexual urges.
"If you have pedophiles and you let them use a robotic child, will that reduce the incidence of them abusing real children, or will it increase it?" Arkin asked. "I don't think anyone has the answers for that yet - that's where future research needs to be done."
Keeping a robot for sex could reduce human prostitution and the problems that come with it.
However, "in a marriage or other relationship, one partner could be jealous or consider it infidelity if the other used a robot," Levy said. "But who knows, maybe some other relationships could welcome a robot. Instead of a woman saying, 'Darling, not tonight, I have a headache,' you could get 'Darling, I have a headache, why not use your robot?'"
Arkin noted that "if we allow robots to become a part of everyday life and bond with them, we'll have to ask questions about what's going to happen to our social fabric. How will they change humanity and civilization? I don't have any answers, but I think it's something we need to study. There's a real potential for intimacy here, where humans become psychologically and emotionally attached to these devices in ways we wouldn't to a vibrator."
Levy is currently writing a paper on the ethical treatment of robots. When it comes to sex and love with robots, "the ethical issues on how to treat them are something we'll have to consider very seriously, and they're very complicated issues," Levy said.
Levy successfully defended his thesis Oct. 11.
- A mechanical kid for pedophiles! You have GOT to be freakin' kiddin' me! What next, robotic animals for those with a farm fetish?
LINK: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301717,00.html
Monday, October 15, 2007
Humans could marry robots within the century. And consummate those vows.
"My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize marriages with robots," artificial intelligence researcher David Levy at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands told LiveScience.
Levy recently completed his Ph.D. work on the subject of human-robot relationships, covering many of the privileges and practices that generally come with marriage as well as outside of it.
At first, sex with robots might be considered geeky, "but once you have a story like 'I had sex with a robot, and it was great!' appear someplace like Cosmo magazine, I'd expect many people to jump on the bandwagon," Levy said.
The idea of romance between humanity and our artistic and/or mechanical creations dates back to ancient times, with the Greek myth of the sculptor Pygmalion falling in love with the ivory statue he made named Galatea, to which the goddess Venus eventually granted life.
This notion persists in modern times. Not only has science fiction explored this idea, but 40 years ago, scientists noticed that students at times became unusually attracted to ELIZA, a computer program designed to ask questions and mimic a psychotherapist.
"There's a trend of robots becoming more human-like in appearance and coming more in contact with humans," Levy said. "At first robots were used impersonally, in factories where they helped build automobiles, for instance. Then they were used in offices to deliver mail, or to show visitors around museums, or in homes as vacuum cleaners, such as with the Roomba. Now you have robot toys, like Sony's Aibo robot dog, or Tickle Me Elmos, or digital pets like Tamagotchis."
In his thesis, "Intimate Relationships with Artificial Partners," Levy conjectures that robots will become so human-like in appearance, function and personality that many people will fall in love with them, have sex with them and even marry them.
"It may sound a little weird, but it isn't," Levy said. "Love and sex with robots are inevitable."
Levy argues that psychologists have identified roughly a dozen basic reasons why people fall in love, "and almost all of them could apply to human-robot relationships. For instance, one thing that prompts people to fall in love are similarities in personality and knowledge, and all of this is programmable. Another reason people are more likely to fall in love is if they know the other person likes them, and that's programmable too."
In 2006, Henrik Christensen, founder of the European Robotics Research Network, predicted that people will be having sex with robots within five years, and Levy thinks that's quite likely.
There are companies that already sell realistic sex dolls, "and it's just a matter of adding some electronics to them to add some vibration," he said, or endowing the robots with a few audio responses. "That's fairly primitive in terms of robotics, but the technology is already there."
As software becomes more advanced and the relationship between humans and robots becomes more personal, marriage could result.
"One hundred years ago, interracial marriage and same-sex marriages were illegal in the United States. Interracial marriage has been legal now for 50 years, and same-sex marriage is legal in some parts of the states," Levy said. "There has been this trend in marriage where each partner gets to make their own choice of who they want to be with."
"The question is not if this will happen, but when," Levy said. "I am convinced the answer is much earlier than you think."
Levy predicts Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize human-robot marriage.
"Massachusetts is more liberal than most other jurisdictions in the United States and has been at the forefront of same-sex marriage," Levy said. "There's also a lot of high-tech research there at places like MIT."
Although roboticist Ronald Arkin at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta does not think human-robot marriages will be legal anywhere by 2050, "anything's possible. And just because it's not legal doesn't mean people won't try it," he told LiveScience.
"Humans are very unusual creatures," Arkin said. "If you ask me if every human will want to marry a robot, my answer is probably not. But will there be a subset of people? There are people ready right now to marry sex toys."
The main benefit of human-robot marriage could be to make people who otherwise could not get married happier, "people who find it hard to form relationships, because they are extremely shy, or have psychological problems, or are just plain ugly or have unpleasant personalities," Levy said. "Of course, such people who completely give up the idea of forming relationships with other people are going to be few and far between, but they will be out there."
The possibility of sex with robots could prove a mixed bag for humanity. For instance, robot sex could provide an outlet for criminal sexual urges.
"If you have pedophiles and you let them use a robotic child, will that reduce the incidence of them abusing real children, or will it increase it?" Arkin asked. "I don't think anyone has the answers for that yet - that's where future research needs to be done."
Keeping a robot for sex could reduce human prostitution and the problems that come with it.
However, "in a marriage or other relationship, one partner could be jealous or consider it infidelity if the other used a robot," Levy said. "But who knows, maybe some other relationships could welcome a robot. Instead of a woman saying, 'Darling, not tonight, I have a headache,' you could get 'Darling, I have a headache, why not use your robot?'"
Arkin noted that "if we allow robots to become a part of everyday life and bond with them, we'll have to ask questions about what's going to happen to our social fabric. How will they change humanity and civilization? I don't have any answers, but I think it's something we need to study. There's a real potential for intimacy here, where humans become psychologically and emotionally attached to these devices in ways we wouldn't to a vibrator."
Levy is currently writing a paper on the ethical treatment of robots. When it comes to sex and love with robots, "the ethical issues on how to treat them are something we'll have to consider very seriously, and they're very complicated issues," Levy said.
Levy successfully defended his thesis Oct. 11.
- A mechanical kid for pedophiles! You have GOT to be freakin' kiddin' me! What next, robotic animals for those with a farm fetish?
LINK: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301717,00.html
0
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isn there already enough stuff in sex shops.
and who would want to marry a robot?
and this would only further the increase of the poor population as they will still reproduce because they cant afford said robots. and the rich will no longer have anyone to leave money too because they have a robot as a spouse who will live forever0 -
I think it's been legal in Massachusetts for awhile now. I think that Heinz woman is married to one. 0 -
LOL click, little elctronic noise enter sexual position then press enter.......................little boot up time.................OH YEA BABY GET DOWN ON IT...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH YEAAAAAAA>......
just might be hell of an idea roflmao.....just when you think you heard it all!0 -
Robotic sex. Neat. Perhaps we will be able to "dial-in" the constriction and the moisture level to suit our desires. One dial where the left nipple normally would be, and the other on the right.
(And the demo models will most likely be sold at a discount. Gives new meaning to the phrase "floor sample"). Joe0 -
As long as Microsoft doesn't get the patent on the software. Dang thing will be crashing or locking up at the wrong times. Will have to keep hitting the "ctrl, alt, del" keys and that gets frustrating. 0 -
Why would you make such a commitment such as marriage to a robot?
I'm sure that they will just come out with a new version that is less expensive and make your version obsolete without the any of the bugs six months after you purchased it.0 -
now what would you do when the sumbitch freezes when your almost there...reload[:(!][:0][B)] 0 -
If it can cook and clean, sign me up [8D] 0 -
In 2050, if im still alive and functional, ill probalby be so senile chances are ill be sticken it in the toaster on accident[:D] 0 -
what? Will you guys deny Mr. Data the right to have a relationship with a hot young female ensign while the likes of Kirk and Riker are free to do so??? 0 -
What we have here is the esteemed Dr. Levy projecting wish fulfillment. Since the honored Dr. has never seen, or is likely ever see, a naked female (barn animals not counted here), the computer screen or a robot is his only chance - pathetic as it is. 0 -
Just think, they'll never say no and never talk back. Everyone will have a hottie. Things will be great until she starts sneaking over to the neighbors for Robot Bob who's hung like a horse. 0 -
Wow, I was so expecting a link to The Onion at the end of that. 0 -
Maybe I am the eternal optimist, but I see some good coming of all this.
If a feller wasn't satisfied with just one robot "wife," he could get a spare or two.
If the "wife" got to be tiresome, there is no need for an expensive divorce. Just scrap her, or trade her in for a newer model.
It would be great for those fellers who haven't learned not to hit, the wife beaters. I don't suppose it would be against the law to beat up your robot, would it?
I don't expect to be around in 2050 to see it anyway.0 -
I wonder if your insurance would cover tune ups or upgraded software for your new robotic spouse? 0 -
I've already been married to a robot, didn't like her. 0 -
And I would have to have a can opener surgically installed?
Fugedaboutit!
[V]barto[V]0 -
I would be 96...Sure hope I still have FMJ bullets.. 0 -
People are paying $6499 for the latex "Celine" at realdoll.com 
Just add a few motors so that things can move, and a computer chip to talk, and you have your hot robot for $15K.
It is inevitable, and I imagine it will sell quite well.
As for people actually marrying robots, that is a bit too much.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
People are paying $6499 for the latex "Celine" at realdoll.com
Just add a few motors so that things can move, and a computer chip to talk, and you have your hot robot for $15K.
It is inevitable, and I imagine it will sell quite well.
As for people actually marrying robots, that is a bit too much.
Shes Hot! Do you think my kids could get used to calling her mommy?0 -
I have dibs on remote girl ...[:D][:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by cartod
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
People are paying $6499 for the latex "Celine" at realdoll.com
Just add a few motors so that things can move, and a computer chip to talk, and you have your hot robot for $15K.
It is inevitable, and I imagine it will sell quite well.
As for people actually marrying robots, that is a bit too much.
Shes Hot! Do you think my kids could get used to calling her mommy?
Don't get her too close to the stove.. she might melt.. I also have a sneakin' feeling my dog would shake the fur off of her..[:0][:0]0 -
Gez, this world is really screwed up..... 0 -
quote:One More Robot - Sympathy 3000-21
Unit three thousand twenty one is warning
Makes a humming sound - when its circuits
Duplicate emotions - and a sense of coldness detaches
As it tries to comfort your sadness -
One more robot learns to be something more than
A machine - when it tries the way it does - make it seem
Like it can love -
Cause it's hard to say what's real - when you know the
Why you feel - is it wrong to think it's love
When it tries the way it does...
Feeling a synthetic kind of love
Dreaming a sympathetic wish -
As the lights blink faster and brighter -
One more robot learns to be something more than
A machine - when it tries the way it does - make it seem
Like it can love -
Cause it's hard to say what's real - when you know the
Why you feel - is it wrong to think it's love
When it tries the way it does...http://youtube.com/watch?v=G0i3z4G8RAg0 -
quote:It would be great for those fellers who haven't learned not to hit, the wife beaters. I don't suppose it would be against the law to beat up your robot, would it? These guys might meet their match with a robot.
Cool. Leaves more REAL women for the rest of us.0 -
HARCOURT FENTON MUDD you miserabel sot[B)][B)] 0 -
And there's Stephanie...
I must admit, that is some pretty cute latex for $6,4990 -
I think I'll stick with mail order. You can always have them deported in case it doesnt work out! [}:)] 0 -
Well, 3200 beat me to it -- the idea of sex with a robot only reminds me of my ex. Eighteen and a half years, and now I realize the batteries must have been backwards. Or something. 0 -
Marriage and love is a lot more than sex ... I don't even see how sex with a robot would be al that appealing, but marriage to a robot ... that is not going to happen! (Unless it is just people messing around to say it can happen.) You just do not fall in love with a robot ... why? Because choice has to be part of the equation or it is not love! 0
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