Artificial intelligence is taking over dating apps after years of backlash and user fatigue, according to a bold prediction by officials at Tinder.
Tinder, the world's most popular dating app, is turning to new technology as users become weary of online romance.
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In a recent Forbes survey, 78% of respondents reported feeling “emotionally, mentally, or physically exhausted” by dating apps.
Match Group, a technology company that owns online dating services including Tinder, OkCupid and Hinge, says the shift in artificial intelligence is exactly what apps need to reignite excitement in users.
“AI will change the dating experience,” Tinder CEO Bernard Kim said at a recent investor meeting, according to the Financial Times.
“It will enable us to improve all aspects of your online dating journey.”
In initial efforts to improve the app experience, Tinder has begun beta testing requirements for users to upload photos of their faces, which is currently optional in most regions.
The app is also testing a screening that uses biometric scans to ensure users' profile photos aren't fake.
Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno also said at the investor day that the app is trying an “AI-powered discovery feature” that would suggest matches for people based on photos and quizzes.
Tinder already uses artificial intelligence to help its users choose the best photos to use on their profiles.
However, strides toward innovation haven't stopped the app's slow decline over the years as sales decline and digital dating fatigue grows.
A year ago, Tinder launched an expensive subscription plan called Tinder Select that allowed users to message profiles without matching them first.
The model sparked backlash as critics expressed concern that the plan removes consent from the user experience and creates opportunities for stalking and harassment.
However, users must meet specific criteria and pass the application process to be eligible for Tinder Select.
Tinder isn't the only dating platform studying AI developments.
The Tinder competitor plans to create personalized dating coaches for users with the help of artificial intelligence, Hinge CEO Justin McLeod said at Match's investor day.
What are the arguments against artificial intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence is a highly controversial topic, and everyone seems to have a position on it. Here are some common arguments against it:
Job Loss – Some industry experts argue that AI will create new areas in the job market, and as some roles are eliminated, others will emerge. However, many artists and writers insist that the argument is ethical, as generative AI tools are trained to do their job and would not work otherwise.
Ethics – When AI is trained on a dataset, much of the content is taken from the internet. This is almost always, if not exclusively, done without notifying the people whose work is being taken.
Privacy – Content from personal social media accounts may be fed to language models for training. Concerns arose when Meta unveiled its AI assistants across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. There have been legal challenges to this: in 2016, personal data protection legislation was created in the European Union, and similar laws are in the works in the United States.
Misinformation – When AI tools pull information from the internet, things may be taken out of context or suffer from hallucinations that produce answers that don't make sense. Tools like Copilot on Bing and Google's generative AI in search are always at risk of errors. Some critics argue this could have deadly effects, such as AI prescribing false health information.
“Dating is not easy,” McLeod told investors.
“Many people who use the app don't get that first match and don't know why – whether it's because of their photos, not sending enough likes, or taking too long to ask a match on a date.
“A dating coach can step in with personalized suggestions.”
On the hinge
McLeod said Hinge plans to fully embrace AI in the near future with the same goals as Tinder.
“While AI will not be a silver bullet when it comes to the deep and personal problem of love, I can tell you that it will change the dating app experience, moving it from a do-it-yourself platform to an expertly guided journey that leads to much better, more valuable results,” he said. “Much better for our data.”
As AI expands to help daters find perfect matches on dating apps, users can also warn of scammers who use AI to roam dating apps to manipulate or rob victims.
However, sociologist Liesel Sharaby told CNN that data is still in the “early stages” of AI adoption.
“Platforms are still figuring out their role in the online dating experience, but they really have the potential to change this space,” Sharabi said.
Tinder did not respond to The US Sun's request for comment.
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