Conceptualizing Digital Intimacy and AI Sexuality: A Systematic Review of Emerging Techno-Sexual Transformations

Abstract

Background: Adolescents and young adults go through a period of development during which they are exploring identity, relationships, and sexuality. The process can be marked by an increase in risk-taking behavior. As digital and AI platforms have expanded rapidly, they have also changed the way people experience romance, intimacy, and sex. Tech-mediated intimate and sexual practice is the term used to describe these new forms of romantic, and sexual behaviors that are mediated by technology. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the current literature on digital intimacy and AI-mediated sexual behavior, including conceptual definitions, subtypes, associated factors, and psychosocial outcomes.
Method and Analysis: The authors undergone a comprehensive literature search using the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases, as well as manual searches to locate relevant studies published before March 2026. These studies included systematic reviews, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method research on intimate, romantic, or sexual behavior that was related electronically or through AI mediation. Data extraction from the identified literature used an existing template to record the definitions and types of Tech-mediated intimate and sexual practice as well as associated factors and outcomes. The methodological quality of all studies reviewed was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. 
Result: Twelve studies from around the world with different designs- cross-sectional, review, theory and narrative that met inclusion criteria resulting in three main areas of Tech-mediated intimate and sexual practice. a) Internet mediated sex and partner seeking through the internet; b) Intimacy through digital romance (e.g. dating sites, instant messaging, social media); c) Using AI to provide companionship. Digital sexual health and virtual reality sexuality. How individuals engaged through these areas was determined by their individual, technological and sociocultural factors. The pros were emotional support, intimacy, sexual experimentation, and health education, while the cons were loss of privacy, emotionally dependence, inappropriate material without consent, cyber-bullying, and health hazards.
Conclusion: Digital intimacy and AI sexuality present opportunities as well as risks to youth and provide relevance to develop and use relevant interventions to promote digital literacy, consent understanding, and safe participation, along with longitudinal and cross-cultural research to develop ethical, developmental, and sociocultural guidelines for safe techno-sexual exploration.