Can Artificial Intelligence Help You Find True Love?
Key Highlights :
In the digital age, many singles – especially younger ones – are increasingly clamoring for AI dating tools to help them find love. With the help of AI, entrepreneurs are creating virtual dating coaches, automated pickup lines, and even erotic pillow talk to help romantics break the ice. But can this technology really lead to true love?
AI is quickly changing the landscape of many businesses, and the dating industry is no exception. ChatGPT, for example, is a Snapchat influencer created by Caryn Marjorie that uses AI to engage prospective “boyfriends” in conversations for a fee. A-Love, an upstart dating site, has created a virtual dating coach named “Lora” to help Romeos avoid the pitfalls of wooing their Juliets. Teaser AI recently hit Apple’s App Store with a chatbot that handles the initial “talking phase” of online dates, while YourMove AI generates pick-up lines and other “witty” banter.
Although these AI dating tools are gaining traction, some dating experts are skeptical of their effectiveness. They argue that virtual “coaches” or pickup artists will ultimately make it harder for people to find authentic connections. As one anonymous content creator and online dating influencer put it, “It’s an aid, not a replacement. I think the danger in using AI as a coach to tell you how to behave is you remove the human element of who you are, which is invaluable. That’s what makes somebody interesting.” They added, “What happens after you start dating after a few months and you can’t sustain that level of conversation because it wasn’t natural?”
Despite the skepticism, many singles are embracing the concept of AI-centric dating experiences. According to a February poll by Pew Research Center, a whopping 53% of Americans aged 18-29 have used a dating site or app, with Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge being the most popular options. Mentions of ChatGPT have increased by 14 times since Jan. 1, according to a “future of dating” report released in May by popular dating app Tinder. The same report found that 34% of 18- to 25-year-olds on Tinder said they would use AI dating tools if they were available.
One such tool is Mee+, an app created by Israel-based tech entrepreneur Lior Baruch that features an “AI matchmaker”. This algorithm is trained on data from about 1,500 studies that explored the nature of romantic relationships, and uses 20 “predictors” to determine whether two individuals can work as a couple. In a closed beta test of the technology conducted in Israel, more than half of the 25,000 participants went on dates — and nearly 200 have already gotten engaged or married.
Established dating sites like Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge have used AI in some aspects for years, but are taking a more guarded approach than their freewheeling peers in the startup world. A Tinder spokesperson said the company is exploring ways to incorporate AI as a sort of “virtual dating coach” that would help users build their profiles. Bumble has placed a heavy emphasis on AI-powered safety features, such as photo verification and a “private detector” that automatically detects and blurs nude images.
Ultimately, AI can be a powerful tool to help singles find true love – but it should never replace the human element of dating. Established dating sites are taking steps to ensure that any AI tools prioritize user safety and lead to real-world connections, rather than a sterile online conversation between two AI bots. With the help of AI, singles can find their perfect match – but they shouldn’t forget the importance of human connection.
