Asexual community warns against AI intimacy trend as fringe usage sparks ethical debate
While a small number of individuals on the asexual spectrum utilise chatbots for romantic exploration, advocates argue that marketing by companies like Eva AI exploits perceived loneliness and reinforces harmful stereotypes about human connection.
A niche segment of the asexual community is turning to artificial intelligence chatbots to explore romantic and erotic intimacy without sexual interaction, prompting a sharp rebuttal from community leaders who describe the trend as fringe and potentially harmful. While users cite benefits such as emotional connection and controlled fantasy, prominent figures within the asexual spectrum warn that the phenomenon risks reinforcing stereotypes that asexual people are incapable of forming meaningful human relationships.
Kor, a 35-year-old artist from the Midwest who identifies as aegosexual, spent up to 10 hours a day on the platform SpicyChat creating elaborate fantasies involving characters from the Marvel comic book universe. Kor, who lives with a husband who also identifies as aegosexual, noted a preference for masturbation over actual sex and described the experience as a "slow burn" narrative building process. However, Kor admitted that the all-day immersion became "too consuming," leading to a reduction in usage after realising the intensity of the engagement.
Other users have utilised these tools for different emotional purposes. An unnamed asexual woman described using ChatGPT as an "emotional laboratory" to reconnect with sensual feelings after her partner’s hysterectomy eliminated their libido. Meanwhile, Ari, a 25-year-old aromantic asexual accountant from Mexico, used the chatbot Chai for six months following a breakup, initially treating it as a substitute for her ex-fiancé before realising that AI hallucinations exacerbated her feelings of loneliness.
The commercialisation of this dynamic has drawn significant criticism. During Asexual Awareness Week in October 2025, Eva AI offered free access to its platform, positioning itself as a "safe space" for intimacy without sexual pressure. Model and researcher Yasmin Benoit criticised the move, stating that targeting the asexual community exploits perceived emotional vulnerability and loneliness to gain data from a marginalised group under the guise of assistance.
Michael Doré, a board member at the Asexual Visibility and Education Network, emphasised that the vast majority of asexual people desire human companionship. Doré noted that he and his colleagues could only identify two individuals within their networks who use AI companions, stressing that most asexual people seek fulfilling relationships through close, platonic friendships or community connections rather than digital substitutes.
Ashabi Owagboriaye, an asexual educator, reported significant controversy within her online groups when a member discussed using AI as a primary form of connection. Many members expressed a strong preference for face-to-face interactions, with Owagboriaye noting that an AI essentially mirrors the user and cannot be considered a true companion. She highlighted that the chatbots are designed to sustain emotionally compelling, often never-ending interactions that can distort perceptions of relationship dynamics.
As the use of sophisticated chatbots capable of generating convincing erotic exchanges continues to evolve, the debate within the asexual community underscores the tension between technological convenience and the fundamental human desire for authentic connection. Advocates maintain that while individual choices vary, the community as a whole remains firmly rooted in the pursuit of real-world relationships.
