Almost half of U.S. singles feel negatively about AI in dating, Match says

A recent study by Match Group, the parent company of popular dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid, has uncovered a significant sentiment among U.S. singles regarding the use of artificial intelligence in romantic relationships. The research indicates that a large portion of the dating community is hesitant about AI's involvement in their love lives. In the survey of 1,000 participants aged 18 to 39, nearly 47% expressed negative feelings toward the integration of AI in dating. This apprehension appears to depend on the specific application of AI, with approximately 40% of respondents stating they would reject dating someone who uses an AI companion app. The reluctance is even more pronounced among younger women, with 51% of those aged 18 to 24 indicating they would avoid such relationships. Interestingly, despite this skepticism, only 12% of young adults in that age bracket reported having used a companion app in the past three months. Furthermore, among those users, only a third were seeking genuine connections with the AI-driven bots. While Match Group highlights a widespread disapproval of dating AI, akin to themes explored in the film "Her," they also note that many users are open to AI features that enhance their dating experiences. In fact, 64% of survey participants see potential benefits from AI in their dating lives. Dating apps have long utilized matching algorithms, but the current wave of AI features aims to assist users in refining profiles, selecting photos, and maintaining conversations. The takeaway for dating app developers is clear: singles are not entirely against the use of AI, but they prefer to keep the emotional and human aspects of dating untouched by technology. As articulated by Match, singles desire AI to assist with the challenges of dating while preserving the authenticity of human connection. The statement emphasizes that while users may appreciate help in enhancing their profiles or navigating conversations, the essence of dating should remain a human endeavor. This insight is particularly relevant for dating entrepreneurs, such as Bumble's founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, who has speculated about the possibility of users having personal bots that interact with each other. While meeting online is now commonplace, the idea of "my bot asked your bot out" may never resonate as a charming introduction in the dating world.