Increase in of AI Porn Addiction cases, treatment needs

One of the fastest-growing and least regulated applications of artificial intelligence (AI) is sexual content. Birches Health’s porn addiction treatment specialists are now treating individuals who specifically identify AI-generated pornography as a main form of choice.

Created by powerful algorithms, highly personalized on-demand sexual content has become easily accessible on smartphones, which are increasingly in the hands of youth. As novelty becomes limitless, clinicians are raising concerns that AI porn may accelerate addictive patterns among individuals already vulnerable to such behaviors. Understanding how AI porn works, why it may be especially addictive and how treatment can help is becoming critically important.

What is AI porn? How popular is it? 

AI porn refers to uncensored sexually explicit images, erotica stories, videos and chatbots that are either generated or modified using artificial intelligence. Deepfake-style imagery, AI-generated characters, “nudification” tools and chat-based sexual roleplay powered by large language models are beginning to become a force in the porn landscape.

Unlike traditional pornography, AI porn allows users to request highly specific scenarios, appearances and fantasies. And when content can be endlessly altered, that type of control and customization breeds a power trip and a level of satisfaction traditional porn can’t offer. 

Individuals may move from mainstream porn to subscription platforms, and eventually to AI tools when earlier content no longer provides the same stimulation. In its novelty, precise usage statistics are lacking, but there are some stats to glean information from, and demand is clearly rising. 

AI is becoming especially pervasive among kids. In the past year, almost one-third of students whose schools use AI reported that they or a friend have had back-and-forth conversations with AI to have a romantic relationship. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “1 in 6 minors involved in a potentially harmful online sexual interaction never disclose it to anyone.”

Public controversies and rapid advances in “generative AI” have brought AI porn into the mainstream, expanding access well beyond niche communities. The ease of use and low cost make AI porn appealing to those with an exacting nature or seeking constant iterations.

In addition, porn companies may prefer to invest in realistic AI technology, as long term it will likely be less experience to produce than paying real actors to perform in pornographic videos. Therefore, they may be more incentivized to promote and prominently feature AI porn in attempts to condition users to it. 

Is AI porn regulated like traditional pornography?

While traditional pornography is subject to age restrictions, obscenity laws and moderation policies, AI-generated sexual material can fall outside of existing frameworks.

Many AI platforms were not designed as adult products, allowing explicit use cases to emerge faster than protections. AI porn may involve digitally altered likenesses or simulated scenarios that would be illegal or unethical if traditionally produced. Some users incorrectly believe AI-generated sexual images are harmless if they are not “real,” despite evidence of psychological and social harm.

Access barriers are often minimal, and a lack of oversight may contribute to increased exposure and compulsive use among younger users.