Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various industries, but can it truly help people find their true love? Entrepreneurial matchmakers seem to think so, as they are embracing AI to assist tongue-tied romantics with clever pickup lines, virtual dating coaches, and even erotic conversations.
Snapchat influencer Caryn Marjorie recently developed an AI clone of herself using ChatGPT. This AI engages potential boyfriends in conversations ranging from casual small talk to more intimate discussions, all at the rate of $1 per minute.
On a broader scale, a startup dating site called A-Love has created a virtual dating coach named Lora. Lora offers guidance to help suitors navigate the pitfalls of wooing their potential partners. For example, Lora might advise taking a date to a quiet place for a first meeting in order to better understand each other.
Teaser AI, another app, entered Apple’s App Store last month with a chatbot designed to handle the initial stages of online dates. However, the app warns users upfront that it might say some crazy sh-t.
YourMove AI is yet another app that generates pick-up lines and witty banter. For instance, if someone mentioned loving a particular movie, the AI might respond with, Actually, I thought you were the star of the show.
While the concept of AI-centric dating experiences has its skeptics, many singles, especially younger ones, are eager for automated dating features. According to a February poll by Pew Research Center, a remarkable 53% of Americans aged 18-29 have used a dating site or app. Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge emerge as the most popular options.
The mention of ChatGPT has increased by 14 times since the beginning of the year, according to a report on the future of dating released by Tinder. The same report revealed that 34% of 18- to 25-year-olds on Tinder would be willing to use AI dating tools if available.
An Israeli tech entrepreneur named Lior Baruch intends to release an app called Mee+ in the US this fall. The app will include an AI matchmaker trained on data derived from approximately 1,500 studies about romantic relationships. By utilizing this data, Baruch’s algorithm identifies 20 predictors to determine compatibility between individuals and offers dating advice accordingly.
Established dating sites like Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge have been cautiously using AI for years. They are exploring ways to incorporate AI as a virtual dating coach to assist users in creating profiles that present them accurately. These companies aim to avoid the creation of generic, robot-like profiles and instead help users find the right words to describe themselves, leading to genuine real-life connections.
Tinder already employs AI features such as a tool that flags potentially offensive messages. The company plans on enhancing AI capabilities to better understand the context behind messages, rather than solely tracking banned keywords.
Bumble, on the other hand, focuses heavily on AI-powered safety features like photo verification and a private detector that detects and blurs explicit images. Recent tools offered by Bumble include best photo, which aids users in selecting attractive profile pictures, and best bees, which allegedly uses an improved algorithm to offer more compatible matches.
Both Tinder and Bumble emphasize that their AI tools prioritize user safety and aim to foster real-world connections, rather than sterile conversations between two AI entities.
AI is undeniably making its mark on the dating industry. While some remain skeptical about the potential impact on authentic connections, the demand for automated dating features among singles, particularly the younger generation, is evident. As the technology evolves and gathers more data, AI tools have the potential to revolutionize the landscape of modern dating.
