Norton Report: 48% Open to Dating AI, Many Use AI For Dating Profiles

A new Norton Insights Report titled “Artificial Intimacy” has found that nearly half (48%) of current online daters in New Zealand would consider entering a romantic relationship with an artificial intelligence system. The study, conducted from July 24 to August 13, 2025, among 1,000 adults aged 18 and older, also revealed that 25% believe it is possible to develop genuine romantic feelings for an AI.

The findings highlight a growing openness to AI companionship as loneliness persists and trust in human interactions online declines. Among daters who have used AI for relationship guidance, 34% reported trusting an AI coach more than advice from friends or family. Additionally, 32% said they would turn to an AI chatbot for support after a breakup, while 28% viewed an AI partner as potentially more emotionally supportive than a human one. Interest extended to niche scenarios, with 33% open to romantic engagement with an AI clone of a celebrity crush.

The report situates these attitudes within broader challenges in the dating app landscape. Many users encounter suspicious profiles weekly, with platforms like Instagram (54%), Facebook (44%), and WhatsApp (40%) rated as least safe for meeting matches, followed by Tinder (34%), Bumble (31%), and Hinge (29%). Meanwhile, daters themselves use AI tools extensively – 46% to craft profiles, 39% to enhance photos (34% have done so), 48% for conversation starters, and 43% for coaching – yet 65% would feel bothered if a match used AI for similar purposes.

Scam risks remain significant, with the Gen Threat Report noting social engineering behind over 90% of individual digital threats. Globally, Norton blocked more than 17 million dating scams in Q4 2025, a 19% increase from 2024. “When loneliness is high, trust can form very quickly online to fill that void, and that’s exactly what scammers rely on to exploit our need for love and companionship.” said Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for Norton. “AI itself isn’t a scam, and many people find it genuinely feels supportive or comforting, but it’s still artificial and there is no substitute for real human connection.”

Mark Gorrie, VP APAC at Norton, said: “AI has accelerated that breakdown in trust. It’s made it easier to manipulate images, fabricate identities, and deceive others at scale. AI is leaving New Zealanders second-guessing who, or what, they’re engaging with online. It is unsurprising that some are now looking to AI for intimacy.”