AI-Generated Charm Raises Questions About Authenticity on Dating Apps

AI is increasingly shaping digital dating, raising fresh questions about authenticity in connection – and a recent Washington Post exposé spotlights this growing trend.

Dating platforms like Hinge and Tinder, owned by Match Group, have embraced AI to enhance profiles and manage message tone, while new tools like Rizz and Wing AI offer automated conversational assistance. Proponents say these innovations benefit those who struggle to express themselves, providing a “confidence boost” and helping navigate cumbersome app processes. Amanda Gesselman from the Kinsey Institute affirms that many singles use AI “to enhance their dating lives,” albeit recognizing moral grey areas.

Yet, critics argue AI-mediated conversations dilute authenticity. Dating coach Erika Ettin notes that AI disguises personal tendencies like impatience or inappropriate behaviour, which are key signals in assessing compatibility. Usage of AI on dating apps has surged by a huge amount in recent months, and many users are happy to make it a core part of how they approach the dating experience.

Match Group maintains that its AI tools aim to enhance safety and drive real connections. Notably, AI moderation prompts have encouraged about 20% of users to rethink potentially harmful messages. Despite this, dependence on AI may inadvertently flatten conversational styles, steering exchanges toward generic dialogue.

As AI becomes more pervasive in dating apps, platforms are caught between facilitating conversation and preserving genuine human expression. While some platforms are indifferent, others heavily embrace these AI tools as a new part of modern dating, while others – like Hinge – actively urge both users and the wider industry to be more responsible with AI usage.