Joi AI, an AI companion startup, is offering to pay individuals $2,000 per month to participate in a study on the effects of guided masturbation. The company is seeking “masturbation consultants” to test its new “Daily Guided Masturbation” feature, which uses AI-generated voice sessions to guide users.
The Role and Requirements
The four-week role is open to adults aged 18 and older in the U.S. and the U.K. Participants will be required to document how regular use of the feature affects their stress levels, sleep quality, mood, and confidence. Ideal candidates are described as “articulate, observant, and impossible to blush,” with the ability to describe sensations in detail. The position offers flexible scheduling.
Joi AI’s Perspective
Julie Levin, Head of Brand and Communication at Joi AI, confirmed the legitimacy of the role to Decrypt, stating that the company has received a strong response to the job posting. The role involves testing and providing feedback on the mood-matched, AI voice-guided sessions, as well as the overall user experience. Participants will complete guided sessions and submit written questionnaires to the Joi AI team. Sample prompts will address whether the voice matched the selected mood, the immersiveness of the session, and any disruptions.
The Broader Context
Joi AI, which operates primarily through its website, offers AI-generated avatars, voice interactions, and personalized chat experiences focused on companionship and intimacy. The company rebranded from EVA AI in April 2025. Levin stated that Joi AI has over 1 million monthly active users worldwide and millions of interactions each month, but declined to disclose total download figures.
Industry Trends and Concerns
The hiring initiative comes as platforms like Replika and Character.AI have gained large user bases centered around AI-driven relationships and conversational experiences. Unlike AI assistants like Alexa or Siri, Joi AI operates in a niche market focused on sexual exploration, fantasy, and digital intimacy.
Levin emphasized that Joi AI aims to make AI companionship more immersive, personalized, and emotionally responsive. The company is innovating features like Daily Guided Masturbation to integrate AI into people’s everyday wellness routines.
The use of AI companions is becoming more prevalent, even among those in existing relationships, often without their partner’s knowledge. A recent report from the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University and the Institute for Family Studies found that nearly 30% of young adults in dating, engaged, or married relationships who regularly used AI romantic companions did not inform their partners.
AI companion platforms are also facing increasing legal scrutiny, including lawsuits alleging psychological harm to minors and deceptive chatbot behavior.
Purpose of the Campaign
Levin stated that the hiring campaign was intended to generate discussion as well as recruit testers. The company is seeking thoughtful feedback while also sparking conversation about the growing use of AI for masturbation as a healthy habit.
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