Are Virtual Porn Stars Going to Replace Real Ones Soon?

Some experts are predicting that virtual porn stars will replace real ones at some point in the near future.

People watching porn.
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Image via Getty/redhumv

People watching porn.

You would think that porn star would be a job that would be technology proof. And yet, a visit to your favorite tube site is sure to have an animation section for those who prefer to watch cartoons do it instead of real people. And virtual porn stars could become even more common soon, if you believe what some people are predicting.

According to several experts who spoke with Motherboard recently, a large number of human porn stars could be replaced by "computer generated virtual actors" at some point in the near future. The reason, like most, is that the swap will allow the upstanding people who run the adult film industry to churn out more scenes for far less money as there will be no need to hire talent, lighting guys, set designers, etc. Cindy Gallop, founder of MakeLoveNotPorn.com summed it up about as concisely as possible by saying, "As a porn star, you absolutely have to worry about your job in the current climate." Damn, who would have thought the porn industry could be so cold?

"A human won't be able to compete in this world," futurologist Dr. Ian Pearson added. "A studio will be able to hire a porn actor for a thousand dollars or just rent the software and create one for less."

This might not be great news for those who make a living working in porn. But Dr. Pearson—the author of a report about the future of sex for online sex shop Bondara—said that humans will still be able to find work in certain areas of the adult industry. "Brothels, for example, will still use humans; there is a connection and even some emotion in that setting," he said. "But we don't need human porn stars." For those of you on the job hunt, this is what you would call a silver lining.

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Additionally, Jeff Dillon, the CEO of an adult movie store called GameLink, thinks the future of porn stars could be selling their likenesses to companies for virtual re-production. "It will be a lot like what NFL players are doing with video games," he said. "If you're a digital star, you're licensing your likeness."

These aren't the only dramatic predictions about porn to drop recently. There has also been talk about innovations like a holographic cam that would be able to beam models into your home as well as a VR device that would add scents to your viewing experience (FYI, you might want to think long and hard before purchasing this one).

It's important to note that, often times, these types of predictions don't come true. So if you're one of the many who enjoy getting off to real people or you're just a porn star wondering if it's time to update your resume, we would advise you not to worry just yet. But it does seem like some changes are going to be coming.

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