Digital Futures of Desire

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Disclaimer: This event will feature themes of a sexual nature. Viewer discretion is advised.

How is technology reshaping the way we connect, love, and desire? This February, join us for a Valentine's-themed exploration of intimacy in the digital age.

Our panel brings together King's experts Dr Chloé Locatelli on human-AI/robot relationships and Dr Rikke Amundsen on the complexities of online intimacy alongside award-winning filmmaker and queer event creator Samuel Douek, the CEO of an innovative sexual wellbeing brand. Together, they'll unpack what intimacy looks like in an increasingly mediated world.

The panel will be chaired by Professor Kate Devlin, Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute.

Speakers:

Professor Kate Devlin, Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute

Professor Kate Devlin is Professor of Artificial Intelligence & Society in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and the Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute at King’s.

She is also King’s lead investigator on the UKRI’s Responsible AI UK programme, which brings together researchers from across the UK to understand how we should shape the development of AI to benefit people, communities and society.

Dr Chloé Locatelli, Lecturer in Digital Media and Culture, King's College London

Dr Chloé Locatelli is a Lecturer in Digital Media and Culture at King's. Her research explores the intersections of sex work and digital constructions of femininity in heterosexual men's sextech. She is interested in sextech, ‘sex robots’, affinity with digital characters and other places where sex, intimacy and digital technologies meet.

Dr Rikke Amundsen, Lecturer in Digital Media and Culture, King's College London

Dr Rikke Amundsen is a Lecturer in Digital Media and Culture at King's. Rikke’s research is concerned with the influence of digital mediation on interpersonal relations and, more specifically, on practices and perceptions of intimacy. Her research generally explores these issues in relation to gender, sexuality, power, and visual culture. Rikke’s research is also concerned with the sexual politics of digital cultures, and with the increasing mediatisation of intimacy.

Samuel Douek, Founder & CEO of HOWL

Samuel Douek is a London-based film director and founder of HOWL — a queer rave and media startup now scaling into a next-generation sexual wellness brand. With a background in architecture and a career directing award-winning music videos and commercials, Samuel’s work spans large-scale nightlife events, film, and product innovation.

Since early 2025, he has relaunched HOWL as an investor-backed sexual wellness CPG startup and community platform, producing festivals, developing next-gen intimacy products, and pioneering new forms of sex education and media. In 2025, he was named Sexual Wellness CEO of the Year.

This event will take place online. REGISTER HERE.