Sex Robots: The Perspectives of Sex Workers

East Tower 

How do different stakeholders perceive the use of sex robots? How do they view the potential advantages, disadvantages, and concerns associated with their use? This presentation will start to address these questions by focusing on a key stakeholder group-sex workers. While there is research on the impact of sex robots on areas related to sex work, such as prostitution, sex tourism, and human trafficking, the perspectives of sex workers themselves-despite being a primary stakeholder group-have largely been neglected and remain unrepresented in these discussions. The paper shares preliminary findings from an ongoing research project aimed at informing the regulation of sex robots by integrating the viewpoints of various stakeholders. Specifically, the research centers on sex workers' perspectives to gain a more nuanced understanding of the implications of sex robots within the context of sex work.
So far, we have conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with eight Israeli sex workers operating in different indoor sex industry venues. The findings reveal a range of views on the role of sex robots in their profession. Some participants expressed concerns about the potential competition these robots may present, while others saw them as a possible complement to their services, suggesting that this technology could reshape the dynamics of their work, autonomy, and safety. Sex workers also raised ethical concerns regarding the use of sex robots in sexual therapy, particularly in terms of their impact on clientele and the boundaries of therapeutic relationships. Additionally, their insights into the societal and legal implications of sex robots contribute to a broader understanding of how this technology might influence not just the sex industry but also the evolving concept of digisexuality and the future of human-AI interactions.