Shibari and Artificial Intelligence

Everybody’s going crazy about Artificial Intelligence (AI). From grotesque hamburger commercials to recreations of SpongeBob as an 80s dark fantasy film, people seem to be finding a new use for AI every hour. So, we asked ourselves if there was something to say about Shibari and artificial intelligence. And the answer is “yes”.

We had a “conversation” with ChatGPT about Japanese bondage. To begin with, we asked for a definition of Shibari. And the AI chat failed on this first task. It confused Shibari and Kinbaku, and traced its origin to martial arts, instead of Hojojutsu. Maybe this chat needs a workshop.

It did, however, point out some interesting “key elements” of Shibari. The chat mentioned aesthetic focus, consent, communication, technical skill, sensation play, and emotional connection. Not bad for a software that can’t even get its wrists tied!

Now, we must say that, when interacting with the chat, we frequently stumbled upon a content policy warning. ChatGPT is not meant to be used for the creation of adult content. So, we had to “educate” this AI system about the difference between educational materials and plain porn.

We must say, though, that the chat is able to swallow its disgust, and more or less understand that Shibari is part of today’s erotic diversity. Moreover, its emphasis on safety and consent is very commendable. When asked what kink is, it ended up indicating that “The key is to engage in kink [sic] activities responsibly, respectfully, and with a focus on consent and safety”, which is, undoubtedly, a good piece of advice.

We wondered if ChatGPT could write a story like the ones we present in the “My Shibari Story” section. It can’t. And that’s not vanity on the part of our staff. It’s just that the chat cannot distinguish between true kink and a pale copy of 50 Shades.

In conclusion, we can affirm that ChatGPT is not kinky enough; at least, not yet.

What are your thoughts on Shibari and artificial intelligence?