Is AI The New Wingman Or Dating App Grim Reaper?
Is AI the future of finding Mr. Right, or will it kill dating apps completely? According to Wired, Apps like Iris Dating and Grindr are adding AI, hoping to help you find that special someone. But are these tools actually useful?
Grindr’s AI Ambitions: A Bot for Your Bottom?
Sebastian, a San Francisco local, just wants to find a bubble-butt on Grindr. “If the AI can find someone I can just do the work with, I’m fine,” he says. “No talk. Just push-ups.” Grindr plans to use machine learning in 2025. CEO George Arison thinks AI can help people connect. They even want a “wingman” chatbot to give advice and suggest date spots.
AI Takes Over Dating
After ChatGPT came out, dating apps jumped on the AI train. Bumble wants AI to make profiles and messages. Tinder now uses AI to pick your best photos and plans to use AI to assist with matches. Hinge CEO Justin McLeod believes AI will change how we date.
He told investors, “While AI is not going to be a panacea when it comes to the very deeply and personal problem of love, I can tell you that it is going to transform the dating app experience.” New apps like Rizz help users role-play responses.
Many feel dating apps don’t work, but they still look online for love and sex. With AI everywhere, it’s hard to know what’s real. Can adding AI to dating apps really help?
Iris Dating
Iris Dating has a million downloads. When you join, it asks for your location and what you’re looking for. Then, a voice asks you to take a photo to prove you’re real. Next, you swipe on photos until the app figures out your “#AttractionDNA.” One user, Chloe, likes the AI aspect. “Yeah, it’s helpful,” she said. “Because you can have some good friends on here.” However, she hasn’t met anyone in person.
Some Grindr users don’t care about AI, as long as it doesn’t get in the way. Others hate the idea. “I am philosophically very anti-AI,” Tomás told Wired. “Part of relationship building be it sexual, romantic, platonic involves dealing with friction. I think the more organic approach is to not have AI involved.” He thinks AI goes against his reasons for using the app: sex.
The AI-Generated Answer
When asked about AI, Sebastian sent a list of pros and cons with emoji. When asked if AI wrote the answer, he said, “Yes. So, you get me?”
