AI porn isn’t regulated. What does that mean for depictions of queer bodies?

As the demand for queer-themed adult content continues to rise, the rise of AI-generated pornography has opened up new avenues for exploration and exploitation. In 2025, Pornhub's most-watched categories revealed that "Lesbian" was the top-viewed category, followed closely by "Transgender," which had climbed five spots from the previous year. This surge in popularity for LGBTQ+ content coincides with the explosive growth of AI porn, a phenomenon that has raised concerns about the regulation and potential misuse of queer bodies in these digital creations.

The global appetite for LGBTQ+ adult content has been steadily increasing, and AI porn has become a significant part of this trend. Over the past year, searches for "AI porn generators" on Google have risen steadily, with one site alone receiving 8.57 million visitors in January. This surge in interest highlights the growing demand for such content, but it also brings to light the challenges posed by the lack of regulation surrounding AI-generated pornography.

Unlike traditional pornography, which is made up of real people, AI porn is often categorized as "non-photo-realistic media" or "non-hyper-realistic adult content," similar to illustrations. Aurélie Petit, a postdoctoral researcher at the Quebec research chair on French-language artificial intelligence and digital technologies, explained to Uncloseted Media and GAY TIMES that the inability to address this type of content has led to a lack of regulation for a significant portion of AI adult productions.

While efforts have been made to regulate the AI porn industry, there is still much work to be done. Last year, the U.S. Congress passed the TAKE IT Act, which aims to establish guidelines for the production and distribution of AI-generated pornography. However, this legislation is just the beginning, and the challenges of regulating AI porn are complex and multifaceted.

One of the primary concerns is the potential for the exploitation of queer bodies in AI-generated content. With the ability to create realistic and hyper-realistic images and videos, there is a risk that AI porn could perpetuate harmful stereotypes and objectify queer individuals. Additionally, the lack of regulation could lead to the spread of non-consensual or harmful content, as there are currently no clear guidelines or safeguards in place.

Moreover, the representation of queer bodies in AI porn raises questions about consent and authenticity. When AI technology is used to create content featuring LGBTQ+ individuals, it is crucial to ensure that these portrayals are respectful and consensual. However, without proper regulation, it is difficult to hold creators accountable for the accuracy and sensitivity of their work.

Furthermore, the rise of AI porn has the potential to impact the adult film industry, particularly for queer performers. As AI technology advances, there is a risk that the demand for real queer performers may decline, leading to job losses and reduced opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals in the adult film industry.

In conclusion, the unregulated nature of AI pornography poses significant challenges for the representation and protection of queer bodies. As the demand for queer-themed content grows, it is essential to establish clear guidelines and safeguards to ensure that AI-generated porn is respectful, consensual, and does not perpetuate harmful stereotypes. The future of AI porn will likely involve ongoing debates and negotiations about regulation, representation, and the ethical use of technology in the adult entertainment industry.