Coin Stories with Natalie Brunell
Sue Ennis: From Bitcoin to AI Robots — Will They Replace Human Connection?
- Sue Ennis moved from Bitcoin mining (Hut 8) to leading AI companion robotics at Realbotix and Intima AI, attracted by nascent, misunderstood technology similar to crypto in 2016.
- Realbotix specializes in healthcare robotics (elderly care, cognitive support); Intima AI owns RealDoll, which produces AI companion dolls with conversational AI and embodied experiences via middleware.
- Customer base is 50-50 male/female and includes disabled people, veterans with PTSD, isolated elderly, divorcees, and married couples seeking novelty—not the stereotype of "incels in mom's basement."
- The robots use proprietary silicone, blink, talk, remember conversations, and offer 24 degrees of head freedom; customizations include diverse body types, elves, aliens, and satyrs.
- Concerns include preventing misuse (minors, non-consensual replicas, self-harm), need for diverse perspectives in design beyond "hetero white male gaze," and governance frameworks without stifling innovation.
- Bitcoin and privacy-preserving crypto rails could enable micropayments, opt-in data sharing compensation, and discretionary payment options as the business scales.