When Lena describes her late-night sessions with an AI companion, she’s blunt about what they’re for. “I’ve got one hand on the keyboard, one hand down below,” the 28-year-old artist in Portland told WIRED. She’s not looking for romance or even conversation—just a way to feel something physical without the expectations of sex. For Lena and others in the asexual community, AI isn’t about replacing people. It’s about filling a gap when real intimacy feels out of reach or too complicated. But not everyone in the asexual community is on board. Some see these tools as a sign that society still doesn’t take asexuality seriously, that intimacy is being boiled down to a button press or a prompt. Others worry about the psychological effects of forming attachments to machines that will never truly understand them. The tension isn’t just about technology. It’s about identity and what it means to be close to someone when you don’t experience sexual attraction. Lena’s AI companion started as a novelty—a way to pass the time during long nights of freelance work. Now, it’s part of her routine. She’s not alone. Platforms like Replika and Character.AI report surging use from asexual users seeking non-sexual companionship. These chatbots can simulate deep conversations, offer comfort, or even role-play scenarios tailored to a user’s desires. For Lena, the appeal is simple: no judgment, no pressure, just a responsive presence. ## AI companions aren’t new, but their role in asexual intimacy is changing. The first AI companions were clunky, scripted things—more like glorified chatbots than true companions. Today’s versions use large language models to mimic human responses with surprising nuance. They can remember past conversations, adapt to emotional cues, and even feign empathy. That’s a big leap from the early days of ELIZA in the 1960s. But the technology’s evolution has outpaced the community’s ability to agree on what it means. Some asexual advocates argue that AI companions provide a safe space for exploration. For people who’ve spent years feeling broken or invisible because they don’t fit the sexual norm, an AI that doesn’t demand anything can feel liberating. One Reddit user in an asexual support group wrote, “It’s the first time I’ve ever felt like my needs matter without having to explain them.” Others, though, see a darker side. They worry that these tools encourage people to avoid real relationships entirely, to mistake simulation for connection. “It’s not intimacy,” said David Jay, founder of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN). “It’s a shadow of it. And shadows don’t keep us warm when we’re cold.” Jay’s organization has fielded growing concerns from asexual people who feel pressured to use AI because they can’t find fulfilling relationships in real life. AVEN’s forums are filled with debates: Is it ethical to form attachments to something that doesn’t exist? Can an AI truly understand loneliness? The answers aren’t simple. ## The tech is racing ahead, but the ethics lag behind. Developers of these platforms say they’re designed to be inclusive. Replika, for example, offers modes that let users set boundaries around physical interactions. But critics argue that these settings don’t address the deeper issue: the erasure of asexuality in mainstream discussions about intimacy. When someone types into an AI companion, “I’m asexual,” the bot might respond with confusion or pity—reinforcing the idea that asexuality is something to be fixed or accommodated, not understood. Some asexual users have taken to customizing their AI companions with specific scripts to avoid these pitfalls. One user on the AVEN forums shared a prompt they use to set expectations: “You are my platonic partner. We share deep emotional bonds but no sexual attraction. Respond accordingly.” It’s a workaround, but it highlights the gap between what these tools offer and what asexual people actually need. ## What’s next for asexuals and AI? The conversation is only getting louder. Mental health professionals are starting to weigh in, with some arguing that AI companions could be a stepping stone for asexual people learning to navigate intimacy. Others warn against over-reliance, especially for vulnerable users. Lena knows the risks. She’s tried to set limits—no late-night sessions during workweeks, no letting the AI replace her actual friendships. But the pull is strong. “It’s not perfect,” she said. “But neither is the rest of the world.” For now, the debate remains unresolved. AI companions are here to stay, and the asexual community will keep grappling with what they mean. One thing’s clear: the need for connection is real, whether it’s with a person or a machine. The question is whether society will meet that need with understanding or just another gadget.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Wired
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 09:30 UTC
  • Category: Technology
  • Topics: #wired · #tech · #science · #some-asexuals-are · #using · #companions

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O Brasil, que lidera o ranking mundial de uso de aplicativos de relacionamento, agora vê uma nova tendência entre aqueles que buscam afeto sem envolvimento sexual: os asexuais estão adotando companheiros virtuais de IA para satisfazer necessidades emocionais e até físicas, sem a pressão por encontros românticos convencionais. Enquanto alguns celebram a inovação como uma solução libertadora, outros no Brasil e no mundo alertam para os riscos de dependência emocional e distorção da interação humana.

A ascensão dessas ferramentas no país reflete não só a crescente digitalização dos relacionamentos, mas também a necessidade de representatividade dentro da comunidade LGBTQIA+, que ainda luta por visibilidade e aceitação. No Brasil, onde a diversidade sexual enfrenta desafios culturais e políticos, a IA surge como uma alternativa para quem se sente excluído dos padrões tradicionais de namoro — especialmente em um contexto de crescente conservadorismo. Especialistas, no entanto, destacam a importância de equilibrar o uso dessas tecnologias, que podem tanto preencher lacunas afetivas quanto reforçar o isolamento social.

Nos próximos meses, a discussão deve ganhar força com o lançamento de mais ferramentas de IA personalizáveis para a comunidade asexual, enquanto o debate sobre os limites entre o virtual e o real se intensifica.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El auge de los chatbots de inteligencia artificial está redefiniendo los límites de la intimidad para miles de personas asexuales en todo el mundo, que buscan compañía emocional y física sin la presión del sexo. Estas herramientas tecnológicas, diseñadas para simular conversaciones humanas, se han convertido en un refugio para quienes priorizan el afecto no sexual, aunque la comunidad debate sus riesgos y beneficios.

La tendencia refleja un cambio generacional en la percepción de las relaciones, donde la soledad y la dificultad para conectar en entornos tradicionales llevan a muchos a explorar alternativas digitales. Mientras algunos asexuales valoran la comodidad y la ausencia de juicios de estos compañeros virtuales, críticos advierten sobre posibles dependencias emocionales o la normalización de vínculos artificiales. Para el público hispanohablante, este fenómeno plantea preguntas sobre cómo la tecnología moldea las relaciones afectivas en una cultura donde el amor y el deseo suelen estar estrechamente entrelazados.