Sex robots, intimacy, AI ethics, and the future of human-robot relationships explored with science fiction scholar Dr. Jennifer Farrell,

👤 Guest Bio:
Dr. Jennifer Farrell is a professor of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a science fiction scholar whose research explores the ethical, emotional, and cultural implications of emerging technologies—including sex robots.

🧠 Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of sex robots: from dolls to AI companions
• Cultural, ethical, and psychological barriers to adoption
• How science fiction anticipates real-world dilemmas
• Emotional attachment to AI and shifting definitions of relationships
• Legal and societal impacts of sentient machines
• Market size, usage trends, and regulatory blind spots
• The blurred line between novelty, therapy, and exploitation

💬 Top Quotes:

“Half of men in the Amsterdam robot brothel couldn’t come to completion—uncanny valley is real.”

“A sex robot programmed to love you short-circuits the basic human need to be chosen.”

“It’s okay to be uncomfortable and not have a solid opinion on sex robots—we’re in uncharted territory.”

🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright
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Thanks for listening!