Experiments in AI-Generated Erotica
Splash is exploring the use of generative AI in its creative process, commissioning artists who merge human and algorithmic design to produce speculative, surreal erotic art, which has sparked discussions around authorship, technology, and the evolving nature of desire in the digital age. The magazine describes itself as "the world's premier platform for queer and trans culture," but it's also an avant-garde publication that pushes boundaries, whether through its photography or writing. Its latest issue, titled "AI/Love," features four short stories that were created using text generated by artificial intelligence systems trained on corpuses of romance novels and fan fiction. One story involves a human named Sophia who falls in love with an AI character. Another details the adventures of a shapeshifting alien being called "Wave" who meets a mysterious figure named Chloe. "The Machine That Fucks" tells the tale of a woman whose machine is taken from her during a war, while "A Love Story About Two Androids" sees two robots grapple with their feelings for each other after a malfunction leaves them unable to touch. Splash plans to continue experimenting with AI-generated erotica, believing that such experiments can help us better understand how we relate to our technologies, bodies, and desires. In addition to providing readers with stimulating content, these pieces offer insights into how relationships are formed and sustained in a rapidly changing world.
In a recent interview, Splash co-founders Jacob Tobia and Tyler Ford discussed why they wanted to explore this topic: "We think about sex and desire as something that is constantly shaped by technology. Whether it's porn, dating apps, social media - all these things have changed the way we interact with one another. And so we thought, 'Why not just push it even further?'" They also noted that using AI allows them to experiment with different narrative structures and modes of expression, creating works that would be difficult or impossible to write without computers. For example, one of the stories features characters who communicate exclusively through emojis. By merging human creativity with algorithmic processes, they hope to create something new and exciting.
While some may see these stories as frivolous or exploitative, others argue that they open up important conversations around authorship, ownership, and consent. After all, who owns the copyright on an image or text created by a machine? Can algorithms truly generate art without any human input? What does it mean for an artist to "own" their work when it has been generated by code rather than hand? These questions will only become more pressing as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in all aspects of life.
Ultimately, Splash's experiments in eroticism demonstrate how technology can shape our desires and relationships. In the digital age, intimacy takes many forms - from virtual reality to long-distance phone calls to chatbots. As technology continues to evolve at lightning speed, it's essential that we consider its impact on our most basic needs and wants.