Experts Push For Regulation For AI-Powered Dating Assistant Bots
A number of dating apps are set to introduce AI-powered assistants capable of crafting profiles, selecting photos, and even generating messages on behalf of users. Notably, Match Group, the company behind Tinder and Hinge, has announced increased investment in AI technology, with new features expected to launch as soon as this month.
While AI integration aims to enhance user experience by reducing the effort involved in online dating, concerns have emerged over its potential impact on authenticity and social skills. Experts warn that reliance on AI-generated conversations may lead to difficulties in real-life interactions, as users accustomed to digital assistance could struggle with in-person communication.
Dr. Luke Brunning, a lecturer in applied ethics at the University of Leeds, has coordinated an open letter calling for regulatory oversight on AI use in dating apps. He argues that using technology to address social challenges created by digital platforms may worsen existing issues, fostering an environment where users feel pressured to compete rather than connect on a genuine level.
“Many of these companies have correctly identified these social problems,” Brunning said. “But they’re reaching for technology as a way of solving them, rather than trying to do things that really de-escalate the competitiveness.”
The letter, signed by academics from the UK, US, Canada, and Europe, warns that AI-driven dating features could contribute to increased loneliness, reinforce biases, and further erode real-world social skills. Critics argue that the rapid expansion of AI in online dating requires regulatory attention, similar to concerns raised about social media’s impact on mental health.
Despite these concerns, proponents of AI-assisted dating believe it could reduce user fatigue and streamline the dating process. Match Group and Bumble have both stated their commitment to ethical AI use and are still ramping up their focus on making AI a core tool in the dating experience, with the intended use to be a supplemental tool rather than outright replacing dating and social skills. Of course, this all depends on how the AI systems themselves are implemented.
