Desire in Code: Legal Perspectives on Sex Robots and Consent

This paper explores the intersection of sex robots, rape, and sexual consent, examining their legal and normative challenges. Designed for sexual interaction—primarily for a cisgender male, heterosexual market—sex robots risk reinforcing women’s subordination and oppression. Their ability to simulate sexual consent further complicates their societal and legal positioning. While some advocate prohibition, this paper examines regulatory alternatives that embed affirmative consent in design. In particular, it considers the potential of the AI Act and its provision on codes of conduct to guide such development.