As the nation surpasses the sixth anniversary of its first national lockdown, new insights reveal how the pandemic has had a lasting impact on sex, intimacy and our relationship with technology – with artificial intelligence now playing an increasingly significant role.
During lockdown, restrictions on physical connection forced many to rethink how they experienced intimacy. What began as a necessity has evolved into a longer-term shift, with digital tools now shaping how people explore, understand and engage with their sex lives.
According to Kate Moyle, Psychosexual Therapist and resident sex expert for sexual wellness brand LELO, the pandemic marked a turning point, she says: “Lockdown rapidly accelerated the already well-established relationship between people’s sex lives and technology. For others, the restrictions on meeting in person pushed them to take their sex lives online and onto new platforms. Whilst using tech to facilitate almost everything in our lives is nothing new, it has taken on a new role when it comes to our sexuality and intimacy.”
Moyle adds that many people are now turning to tools such as ChatGPT not only for practical advice, but also for more personal exploration: “People are using AI and platforms like ChatGPT for therapeutic and intimate advice, or using it to shape or craft sexual content or ideas. In a way it’s no different to how we are using AI for everything else in our lives – to maximise our efficiency or find out what is considered ‘normal’ and for many this feels like an easy access private space, where they don’t have to risk rejection or embarrassment, which even in 2026 many people report that they still feel around the topic of sex.”
Data from LELO’s 2026 Sex Trends Report supports this shift. Among UK respondents who use AI, nearly a third (29%) say they have used the technology to generate fantasies, scenarios or role-play ideas, while the same proportion report using it to improve their sexual techniques. Meanwhile, 28% say it has helped them gain a deeper understanding of their own sexual desires, highlighting a growing role for AI in self-exploration and sexual wellbeing.
Despite this, Moyle notes that caution remains important. “Whilst many still feel cautious, it’s not an uncommon response to a new way of doing things, however, it is appropriate as it’s important to remember that AI is not neutral, and that many of these platforms were not designed to be used in this way. The different uses of AI and what people’s expectations and hopes are for its use, are also an important consideration; for example, the use of it for sexual inspiration vs as a vehicle for sexual connection.”
While some may remain hesitant, the findings suggest a growing curiosity around how technology can enhance intimacy. Six years on from lockdown, it is clear that the ways people connect – both emotionally and physically – continue to evolve, with AI now becoming part of that conversation.
As technology continues to evolve, so too does the way people explore intimacy, and LELO remains at the forefront of this shift, developing products that reflect changing attitudes and growing curiosity around pleasure.
The brand’s latest launches are designed to help individuals explore what feels good to them, whether they’re looking to refresh a long-standing routine or simply try something new. Among these is the newly introduced SURFER 2, a unisex anal plug created to support more open, inclusive exploration, alongside the latest additions to the popular SONA range – SONA 3 and SONA 3 Cruise.
As a pioneer in high-end pleasure products, LELO continues to innovate, with SONA 3 harnessing advanced sonic wave technology to deliver enhanced intensity and a more personalised experience, offering new avenues for those seeking to better understand and enjoy their own pleasure.Find out more by heading to lelo.com.
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