Berlin’s Cybrothel presents a seemingly conventional escort service, offering private suites for short or overnight stays, where clients can select companions from a roster of enticing names like Bimbo or Ms. Schmidt. 
However, what sets this Berlin establishment apart is its embrace of the future. At Cybrothel, instead of human sex workers, patrons engage with life-sized sex dolls. These dolls, such as Bimbo and Kokeshi, though immobile and voiceless, become interactive entities in the virtual realm. Clients don VR headsets to immerse themselves in 4D pornography featuring their chosen synthetic partners. Additionally, they can engage in ‘sext’ sessions with the dolls’ AI personas, facilitated by a bespoke, risqué AI language model.
Cybrothel stands as a pioneer in integrating immersive AI into the brothel experience. Co-owner Matthias Smetana envisions a future where robotic dolls respond to touch and converse in real time. He views Cybrothel as a trailblazer in catering to an evolving market, attracting both seasoned patrons seeking novelty and newcomers drawn to its pressure-free ambiance.
Smetana emphasizes the absence of judgment at Cybrothel, highlighting its appeal to individuals exploring sex work for the first time or grappling with performance anxiety. As he envisions it, the future of the sex industry lies in the realm of virtual reality, with digital and physical experiences converging seamlessly. 
Could Cybrothel’s model offer insight into the future trajectory of Australia’s sex industry? Emma Bennett, Senior Manager of Townsville’s Onyxx brothel, remains skeptical. She believes that what Australian clients truly seek is genuine human connection and touch, dismissing the idea of substituting it with sci-fi encounters.
While Cybrothel’s AI-driven experiences may provide a safe space for sexual exploration, Sydney-based sex educator Alice Child warns against using technology as a substitute for genuine intimacy. She cautions that avoiding real human connections may deprive individuals of authentic experiences and perpetuate anxieties surrounding intimacy.
Meanwhile, concerns surrounding the use of child-like sex dolls persist. Recent research by Craig A. Harper and Rebecca Lievesley challenges assumptions linking doll ownership to sexual offending. They found no evidence suggesting a correlation between owning such dolls and a propensity for child abuse. However, doll owners exhibited traits indicative of difficulties in forming real relationships, relying on emotional bonds with their synthetic companions to fill a void.
Legislation addressing the issue is gaining traction, with Senate Bill 207 aiming to criminalize the ownership and sale of child sex dolls under 100, alongside the use of artificial intelligence for creating child pornography. Proponents, including Senator Chris McDaniel and Representative Stephanie Dietz, argue that such measures are crucial for safeguarding children from potential harm and exploitation.
As debates surrounding the intersection of AI, intimacy, and legality continue, the evolving landscape of the sex dolls industry prompts reflection on the boundaries between technological innovation and human connection.
