Bryony Cole
Author on AI and intimacy | Founder of Future of Sex
About
AI can now simulate empathy, companionship, and love. Bryony Cole has spent a decade studying what that means for the real thing. Her 2026 TED talk, upcoming book, and advisory work all center on one question: as machines get better at intimacy, what do humans lose? She keynotes on emotional AI, synthetic relationships, and the future of connection for corporate, government, and entertainment audiences at stages including SXSW, Web Summit, and YPO.
Before focusing on AI and relationships, Bryony built a global media and research platform exploring AI-enabled relationships, with a podcast reaching over one million downloads. She launched the world's first pre-accelerator for founders in the intimacy-tech space, connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers shaping the category.
Her work has appeared on Netflix, The Today Show, Bill Maher, The New York Times, ABC, Wired, and TechCrunch. Based in Melbourne, she advises organizations navigating AI companionship, emotional AI strategy, and the human impact of synthetic relationships.
Talks3
The Future of Sex
Sexual pleasure has been lurking in the shadows, hidden discretely in store aisles, lit up in neon on the side of highways, in glimpses on late-night TV, or relegated to the dark and dirty corners of the internet. The sex industry deserves innovation. Global sextech leader Bryony Cole set up Sextech School to do exactly that - bring founders, entrepreneurs, investors, job seekers and learners together in a six week online school to share the best new sextech ideas to transform them into viable businesses and create a vibrant, collaborative and sex positive community that is growing the sextech industry together. This talk dives into how we support, partner, and get businesses ready for early-stage ventures at the intersection of sex, technology, and wellbeing. If you have a sextech idea, or you’re just sex(tech) curious, this talk is for you. Together we’ll stimulate the sexual economy. About SXSW: SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. An essential destination for global professionals, this year’s online event features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, professional development and a variety of networking opportunities. For more information, please visit sxsw.com. Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/user/sxsw?sub_... Connect with SXSW: Website: https://www.sxsw.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SXSWFestival/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sxsw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sxsw/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sxsw
| Event | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|
| TED | 2026 | 🇨🇦Vancouver, Canada |
| TED | 2024 | 🇨🇦Vancouver, Canada |
| SXSW | 2023 | 🇺🇸Austin, United States |
| Design Conference | 2022 |
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