The Future of Dating: Can AI Really Help?

There is a growing consensus that artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize our world, from tackling climate change to advancing medical breakthroughs like curing cancer. Yet, amidst all these ambitious prospects, some individuals harbor fears that AI could pose existential threats to humanity. But can this technology actually enhance my dating life?

A rising number of companies are optimistic about this very possibility. As chatbots, such as ChatGPT, become increasingly sophisticated, their integration into our personal and romantic relationships is becoming more prevalent. In fact, some executives in the dating app sector are envisioning a future where individuals can create AI clones of themselves that engage with other clones, and then relay the outcomes back to their human counterparts.

Whitney Wolfe Herd, the visionary behind the dating app Bumble, has dubbed these creations “dating concierges.” Meanwhile, George Arison, the CEO of Grindr, prefers the term “duplicates.” Within some companies, another term is gaining traction—Mr. Arison refers to them as “synthetics.”

For many, this concept may evoke feelings of dystopia, reminiscent of episodes from Netflix’s thought-provoking series “Black Mirror.” However, as a single 26-year-old residing in San Francisco, I found myself intrigued by this notion, prompting me to explore the AI-driven dating landscape myself.

My approach involved a blend of AI applications, websites, and subscription services, each claiming to enhance my dating experience. Some of these platforms resembled traditional dating apps, while others functioned as third-party solutions or coaching services aimed at improving romantic endeavors.

While the leading dating applications have not yet made their AI clones available to the public, a number of innovative start-ups have taken the plunge. To create my own AI clones, most of these applications required me to engage in conversational training with an AI bot, akin to chatting with a close friend. Over time, these bots adapted their speech patterns and mannerisms to closely mimic my own, resulting in a sort of personalized EliGPT. With my digital doppelgängers ready, they set out on a quest for love.