Deep acting attraction: Predation, masculinity and erotic labour in algorithmic romance

Abstract

The present paper examines the emotional labour of love in algorithmic romance, as represented by Replika, the world’s most popular artificial intelligence companion application, and its implications for ethical artificial intelligence development through the conceptual frame of deep acting . Emotional labour, the theoretical umbrella under which deep acting falls, is introduced as a scope through which to review literature on Replika. Then, the paper looks to Plato’s Alcibiades to assay elements of algorithmic romance, with three suggested features of import: predation, masculinity and erotic labour. The proffered elements are then applied to Replika through the conceptual framework of deep acting, identifying ways in which algorithms overwrite the romantic self and other, suggesting a co-opting of the human body that may extend to other algorithmic dating applications. The article concludes with implications for ethical artificial intelligence development in view of the discussed exploitation of emotional labour.