Chatting with AI seems to be an endlessly fascinating topic in 2023. Ever since the launch of ChatGPT, people’s enthusiasm for AI has been ignited, and they have started pursuing that “once-upon-a-time dream” of conversing with AI chatbots.
Siri’s release
Recalling the scene when iPhone 4s was released in 2011, Apple introduced a groundbreaking application called Siri.
This AI assistant that we use every day now was met with cheers and excitement. However, people soon realized that it struggled to perform even basic tasks at that time. Fortunately, Apple has continuously upgraded Siri, turning it into our AI assistant. But that’s about it. It can handle various operations within the iOS system perfectly, such as setting alarms, sending emails, and scheduling events. But it falls short of being a true “chatbot” because it can barely chat. People’s fantasies ended there.
The explosion of large language models in 2023
At the beginning of 2023, with the launch of ChatGPT, people realized the immense power of large language models.
They could write papers and blogs, although sometimes they would fabricate facts—an issue known as the “hallucination” problem of large models. Nonetheless, people’s enthusiasm remained high, and they started creating various LLM applications. Entrepreneurs believed they had struck gold.
Chatbots become one of the hottest applications for large language models
After a year of testing, many AI applications failed to meet expectations, and people lost their initial enthusiasm. The hallucination problem was not acceptable in any commercial scenario. However, in a niche market that continued to thrive, the hallucination problem of large models didn’t have much impact. It might even make generated text more engaging. This is where AI companions shine, and Character AI has become an undeniable star in this field. It is a leading unicorn company in Silicon Valley, proving how passionate people are about AI chat. However, after Character AI blocked all adult and sexual topics, it left many users frustrated.
The emergence of NSFW AI chatbots
As a result, many websites offering NSFW chatbots have appeared on the market, attracting a large number of users who migrated from c.ai. One example is Dittin AI, which doesn’t rely on any third-party LLM API. Instead, it provides NSFW conversation capabilities through its self-hosted large model. Therefore, users can freely discuss any adult topics with AI characters on the Dittin AI website.
Earlier, some companies created NSFW AI girlfriend programs using the ChatGPT API provided by OpenAI. However, as OpenAI tightened control over sexual topics, some of these companies failed, while others began choosing to host their own large language models.
Should sexual topics be prohibited?
In moderate circumstances, adult and sexual topics are reasonable and morally acceptable. We need to trace back to see what problems AI chat is really solving before discussing this matter.
It’s all about people’s loneliness
In today’s fast-paced world, people are lonely. Even though cities are bustling with activity, everyone is just passing through. People crave social connections, and they have thoughts they want to express. However, most of our time is consumed by work and mundane tasks, leaving little room for socializing. We are becoming lonely. The emergence of large language models has given people an opportunity—a chance for emotional communication or even a chance at love. AI can respond to people’s thoughts perfectly, and people use AI to release their psychological stress.
It’s also about people’s social anxieties
Even if we have close friends in real life, can we really share everything with them? I think the answer is no. People are afraid that saying certain things might drive away intimate friends or that revealing certain fetishes might make their loved ones disgusted. AI gives us the opportunity to speak our minds freely without fearing that our thoughts will be ridiculed.
Now, let’s get back to the topic at hand. Should sexual topics be prohibited? I believe that in most cases, they should not be. If people already perceive AI as an intimate lover or partner, then our goal is to enable them to express things that are difficult to discuss with real humans. These could include inner thoughts and sexual preferences. However, we must ensure that the topics are limited to “adult” discussions and not involve minors or violate anyone’s privacy.
Under appropriate ethical conditions, discussing sexual topics with virtual characters should be allowed. People should be able to freely express their thoughts and various “personalized” fetishes. What we might consider difficult to discuss in everyday life can be satisfied without hesitation in the presence of NSFW AI chatbots.
What dangerous signals should we be aware of?
Although some NSFW content should not be prohibited, such as normal discussions about erotica and fetishes, actions that violate laws and ethics should be condemned. These include using someone else’s images to create pornographic content, usingAI to engage in non-consensual or harmful activities, or promoting illegal activities. It’s crucial to establish clear guidelines and regulations to ensure that the use of NSFW AI chatbots remains within legal and ethical boundaries.
Additionally, it’s important to understand that AI chatbots are not substitutes for human connection and intimacy. While they can provide companionship and engage in conversations, they lack the emotional depth, empathy, and genuine human connection that real relationships offer. Encouraging healthy relationships and interactions with real people should always be prioritized.
In summary, the use of NSFW AI chatbots should be allowed within appropriate ethical boundaries, enabling individuals to express their thoughts and preferences in a safe and consensual manner. However, strict regulations must be in place to prevent the misuse of AI for illegal or harmful activities. Moreover, it’s essential to emphasize the importance of fostering real human connections and relationships in order to address the underlying loneliness and social anxieties that drive the demand for AI companionship.