Facebook is getting an AI dating assistant

On Monday, Meta unveiled an innovative AI assistant designed to elevate the Facebook Dating platform. This new chatbot aims to assist users in discovering matches that align more closely with their preferences. For instance, users can prompt the AI to seek out specific types, such as 'a tech-savvy Brooklyn girl,' or request help in fine-tuning their profiles. To combat the phenomenon of 'swipe fatigue,' the company has introduced a feature dubbed Meet Cute, which surprises users with a weekly match selected by its advanced algorithm. According to Meta, there’s been a notable 10% increase in matches among users aged 18 to 29 year-over-year, with a significant influx of new profiles being created in this demographic each month. While this growth is promising, it still falls short when compared to competitors like Tinder, which boasts approximately 50 million daily active users, and Hinge, which has around 10 million. The integration of AI features is becoming increasingly common in the dating app landscape, with newer platforms like Sitch also leveraging AI to stand out. Furthermore, Match Group, the parent company of Tinder and Hinge, has made significant investments in AI technology, including a partnership with OpenAI last year, totaling over $20 million. Despite recent financial challenges—evidenced by a 68% decline in stock price over the past five years—this investment has led to the introduction of features such as an AI-driven photo selector for Tinder and enhanced matching capabilities. Hinge has also embraced AI, offering tools to help users craft better responses to profile prompts. Meanwhile, Bumble's founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, stirred conversation by suggesting the possibility of personal 'AI concierges' that could accompany users on dates with AI counterparts to assess compatibility.