A 2016 conference hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Media Lab included a panel where participants discussed the use of “child-size sex robots” as a possible therapeutic outlet for individuals with pedophilic tendencies, according to archived footage and a transcript reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The July 2016 event, titled “Forbidden Research,” was organized by the MIT Media Lab to explore research topics that were considered too controversial to be studied under traditional academic or ethical frameworks.
The panel in question argued that pedophilia should be understood not as a moral defect but as a psychological condition, and that technology could be used as a tool for harm reduction.
One panelist asked, “Once child-size sex robots hit the market, which they will, is the use of these robots going to be a healthy outlet for people to express these sexual urges and thus protect children and reduce child abuse? Or is the use of these robots going to encourage, normalize, propagate that behavior?”
The panelist went on to note that academic research on the topic is limited due to mandatory reporting restrictions.
Another panelist expressed concern over the broader societal implications.
“The issue of normalization, as you brought up. How does that change society as a whole, and the acceptance of certain kinds of behavior?” they asked, suggesting that the existence and use of such robots could alter social standards and possibly be diverted to illegal markets.
The conference took place during a period of sustained financial involvement by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with the MIT Media Lab.
According to a 2020 independent fact-finding report commissioned by MIT, Epstein donated $525,000 to the Media Lab from 2013 to 2017—years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
The report also noted that Epstein played a role in facilitating other significant donations to MIT.
It revealed that Joi Ito, then-director of the MIT Media Lab, considered inviting Epstein to the July 2016 conference.
A footnote in the report shows Ito asked fellow Media Lab advisory council member Reid Hoffman whether the convicted sex offender should be invited, citing concerns that people “may see him and maybe know he’s involved.”
The lab’s website confirms that the Forbidden Research event was the only conference held by the lab that month.
Though Epstein ultimately did not attend the conference, he visited the MIT campus at least nine times between 2013 and 2017, the report found.
Some of these visits included young women Epstein brought as “assistants,” including a 2016 visit that staff found unsettling.
The Daily Caller reported that MIT has not answered direct questions about whether Epstein was considered for attendance at the Forbidden Research conference.
In a statement to the DCNF, MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen said, “The panel referenced occurred nearly a decade ago, and we can’t comment on individual programming decisions a department made. Thousands of events take place on our campus each year.”
Allen added, “As a general practice, we also don’t comment on the individually held and freely expressed views of any particular community member. The views of any individual community member are their own.”
She noted that the university undertook several reforms following the 2020 report, including changes to its gift acceptance policies and donations to nonprofits serving survivors of sexual abuse.
The Media Lab’s Epstein connection has drawn renewed scrutiny in light of the federal government’s decision to close its criminal investigations into Epstein’s activities.
In a July 7, 2025 memo, the Department of Justice and the FBI said they found no evidence of a “client list” and would make no further disclosures.
The memo confirmed that Epstein harmed more than 1,000 victims.
The decision has generated frustration among supporters of President Donald Trump and led to disagreements between U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
The 2020 MIT report also cited Epstein’s claims that he facilitated $7 million in MIT-related donations from figures including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Apollo Global Management’s Leon Black.
While Gates denied facilitating such gifts, Black admitted to giving to charities associated with Epstein but did not directly address whether the funds were routed to MIT.
Ito resigned in 2019 and issued a public apology for his relationship with Epstein, stating, “I never heard him talk about his sexual crimes.”
He pledged to raise an amount equal to the Epstein donations and donate it to organizations supporting trafficking survivors.
He also promised to return the money Epstein had invested in his personal ventures.
The Daily Caller further noted that Epstein himself explained in a 2017 Science magazine interview why he supported MIT’s Media Lab.
“The MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology] Media Lab is a good example,” Epstein said.
“I would say 25% of the kids there are autistic, on the spectrum. They don’t really work in groups.”
He described the researchers as “rebels who don’t fit in” and said they were “definitely never class president.”
The lab’s July 2016 conference also introduced the idea for a new initiative—the “Disobedience Award.” The $250,000 prize was funded by Reid Hoffman and included a sculpted orb designed by MIT professor Neri Oxman.
Epstein was awarded one of the orb sculptures in recognition of his donations to the Media Lab, per reports.
Oxman’s ties to Epstein resurfaced on July 11, 2025, when Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson criticized her husband, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, at a public event.
In response, Ackman posted on X that Oxman had received a $125,000 grant from Epstein when she was an MIT professor.
“I never met Jeffrey Epstein, flew on his planes, went to any of his parties and/or properties, or interacted with him ever,” Ackman wrote.
He said his wife met Epstein once for 45 minutes at the request of the Media Lab’s leadership.
The post Epstein-Funded MIT Panel Explored Use of Child Sex Robots to Treat Pedophiles, Unearthed ‘Forbidden Research’ Shows appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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