AI Trends in the Dating Industry
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Undoubtedly, the AI trend of 2023 bears a striking resemblance to the Crypto craze of 2021. It has become an omnipresent phenomenon, capturing the attention of even those who typically shy away from technology. If you've been remotely connected to the digital world, you've likely encountered references to ChatGPT or witnessed AI-generated art circulating on social media platforms.
Is AI the Game-Changer in Online Dating?
But when did AI truly become a viral sensation? While the technology itself has been in existence for some time, it was the introduction of ChatGPT that caused a wave of astonishment and fascination among the general public. ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, stands out as a pioneer in the realm of understanding and generating human-like text. Thanks to its accessibility as a free and open-source tool, it rapidly gained widespread popularity, particularly in applications involving chatbots, virtual assistants, and content creation.
Screenshot - Google Trends
Yet, AI's impact extends far beyond being a mere trend it has become a powerful tool simplifying a wide range of tasks such as data analysis, content creation, language translation, and more. The flexibility of AI has opened up countless opportunities for its integration into online businesses, offering innovative solutions and streamlining operations across various industries.
Screenshot- Google Trends
One of these industries that has embraced Artificial Intelligence is online dating. In this article, we will explore how AI is being utilized not only by major platforms like Tinder and Bumble but also by promising new dating startups. We'll highlight the services and trends worth your attention and provide ideas for integrating AI into your own dating project. Let's dive in!
Where can AI be utilized?
Before we move to specific examples in dating, let's explore the wide-ranging capabilities of AI that have been reshaping the digital landscape. The Artificial Intelligence can:
- Analyze and systematize various types of data, including text, video, audio, and images:
- Sorting and organizing a wide range of information from different sources, making it easily accessible.
- Extracting insights from users’ feedback across various forms of communication.
- Enhance decision-making through predictive models:
- Predicting future sales trends to inform inventory management.
- Forecasting equipment maintenance needs to prevent breakdowns.
- Automate tasks:
- Handling routine data entry and administrative tasks.
- Managing appointment scheduling and reminders.
- Personalize user experiences:
- Recommending products or services based on individual preferences.
- Customizing news feeds or content recommendations for users.
- Comprehend and respond to human language:
- Answering user queries through chatbots or virtual assistants.
- Translating text or speech from one language to another accurately.
- Generate new content
Speaking only of content, AI can generate a wide range of it, including:
- Text: AI can produce written content such as articles, essays, product descriptions, and creative writing.
- Images: AI can create images, illustrations, and artwork.
- Music: AI is capable of composing music and generating melodies.
- Video: AI can generate video content, including deepfake videos and computer-generated animations.
- Code: AI can assist in writing code and even generate code snippets for various programming tasks.
- Conversations: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can engage in text or voice conversations with users.
- Recommendations: AI can provide personalized recommendations for products, movies, music, and more.
- Designs: AI can help design logos, websites, user interfaces, and architectural plans.
- Translations: AI can translate text or speech between languages.
- Data: AI can generate synthetic data for testing and training purposes.
With this broad perspective on AI's potential, let's now explore how it can revolutionize dating and what has already been done in the industry.
How can AI be used for dating site?
I’m sure you’ve already asked ChatGPT how AI can be used in dating (I did that to cheat a little bit for this article). Perhaps you’ve already read its suggestions like:
- Face recognition for verification
- AI assistants for icebreaker generations, the suggestion of potential matches
- Personalized matchmaking,
- Dating assistant: ice breakers suggestions, topics, and texts
- Fake users check
And so on. Let’s look at how these and other ideas are already used in practice.
How do popular dating sites use AI?
There's no denying that the way we used online dating in the past no longer fits today's standards. If ten or fifteen years ago, it was used more or less as a platform for meeting people for romantic purposes, at some point, it was turned into a game app. One of the reasons for that was Tinder and its game-changing swiping feature, which in the years, became the whole culture.
Nowadays, dating apps are often utilized like social media to satisfy the need for content scrolling for no particular reason, just as a habit. The other reasons for opening dating apps apart from real romantic intentions can be a simple curiosity: to browse around the dating market, receive some likes, get validation and attention, flirt with no hard feelings, and socialize a little bit.
Some people are overwhelmed, bored, or tired of old online dating formats. However, the old players are trying to keep up with trends.
Dating mastodons like Match Group (Tinder, Match.com, Meetic, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, OurTime) see the tendencies and try new ways of improving users’ dating experience by addressing the most common issues with AI. This time, AI will not only help daters choose the best picture from the album but also suggest personalized matches and even explain why.
Image - Match Group
OkCupid and eHarmony are examples of platforms that use sophisticated matching algorithms. AI algorithms analyze user profiles, preferences, and behavior to suggest potential matches. For instance, they might use machine learning to understand user’s preferences and recommend profiles that align with their interests.
Badoo employs image recognition technology to enhance user safety. This AI-driven feature can scrutinize profile pictures to identify fake or inappropriate content, helping to maintain a more secure and authentic user experience.
Likewise, Bumble has implemented a similar safety measure with its private detector feature. This tool works with AI to assess images and flag any potential issues, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable dating environment for its users.
Tinder is also using AI for image analyses. Artificial Intelligence examines a user's photo album and chooses the five images that most likely could successfully represent the user on the platform.
Zoosk established a partnership with Cequence Security’s Application Security Platform (ASP)
to analyze user behavior to detect suspicious or fraudulent activity. Cequence ASP analyzes every interaction from a user, client, network, and application perspective. Then, it uses the resulting data to build a syntactic profile with the help of AI and Behavior Analysis, thus accurately detecting and mitigating automated attacks.
Chatbots and Virtual Assistants for Dating
If a person is seeking help with starting conversations, improving a dating profile, or setting up dates, an AI dating assistant can assist with all of these and even more. In the world of AI, several popular solutions have emerged that are also utilized to improve the dating experience.
ChatGPT
Absolutely, one of the most popular AI tools, including in the realm of dating, is ChatGPT. It's your go-to for composing a captivating bio, crafting that perfect opening message, and producing a personalized response. OpenAI's solution has your back whenever you find yourself stuck in the writing process.
Let's be honest, ChatGPT has made people a bit lazier, especially when it comes to everyday tasks. Who really wants to compose another email to their boss or put in the effort to write yet another cover letter for a job application? Whenever people find themselves stuck with words, AI can come to the rescue. Online daters have eagerly awaited such a tool.
Ever since AI chatbots like ChatGPT came onto the scene, folks have been experimenting with them to create dating bios, brainstorm ideas for that crucial first message, and come up with original replies.
Disadvantages of Chat GPT in Dating
- Misunderstandings and Inaccurate Responses:
While ChatGPT has its strengths, it has its moments of awkwardness too. AI responses can occasionally miss the mark, especially when it comes to emotions, sarcasm, irony, and cultural references. If you attempt humor or use idiomatic expressions, the AI may misinterpret them, leading to responses that either don't make sense or come off as trying too hard.
For instance, if you ask it to sound friendly, you might end up with overly enthusiastic replies filled with exclamation marks and phrases like "my friend!" – akin to writing like a hyper-extraverted person on ecstasy. Not everyone delves deep into AI settings or knows how to craft precise prompts, making this a potential stumbling block.
- Limitations on Adult Content:
ChatGPT operates with strict policies, especially when it comes to generating sexual or adult content. This limitation can restrict its usefulness on dating sites and apps, as it won't produce the kind of content often needed for such platforms. To navigate this issue, you must be very handy with prompt writing to push the boundaries of OpenAI's restrictions.
AI Dating Assistants
As mentioned earlier, AI chatbots can address a variety of challenges when it comes to generating content and ideas. Undoubtedly, in the realm of dating, it's often a struggle for individuals to come up with something creative and original for one more “Hi, how are you” from a stranger.
And here comes AI dating assistant Rizz, which generates personalized alternative replies for messages on dating apps. One of the biggest advantages of the app is its usability: the user can manually enter their crush’s message or upload a screenshot of the dialog to get the reply options. If the user finds any suggested replies exciting enough to send, it’s possible to copy the text with just one tap and go back to the dating app to send it. If all the alternatives are meh, there is an option to “generate more rizz”, which, by the way, means chaRIZZma in Gen Z language (FYI, oldies).
Image - Rizz App
Another alternative to Rizz is YourMove.ai - an iOS-based app that works similarly to Rizz, but with other options like generating a message based on the specific topic and writing a profile bio for you. Although for some, the generated “witty” replies may sound a bit too cheesy and not so witty after all, when a person feels stuck in the conversation, some help is better than no help at all.
AI-driven Dating Startups
Every year, fewer online daters believe they can find someone decent on Tinder. That’s why new solutions emerge, and people are likely switching to them.
Teaser is an innovative dating app that adds a unique twist to your swiping experience. Instead of just browsing profiles, you engage in conversations with AI that mirrors your personality before deciding to swipe right or left.
Your journey begins with a few questions about yourself, such as whether you're extroverted or introverted, reserved or outgoing, rational or emotional, and more. Afterward, you'll have a chat session with AI, which analyzes your responses. Using this information it starts the chat with other users who come across your profile and swipe it right. Before they can talk with the real you, the users have to pass the interaction with your artificial copy.
As the Teaser’s team warns, sometimes AI says some “crazy shit”. However, this significant “imperfection” could also be seen as an entertaining feature as people usually like everything illogical, spontaneous, and unpredictable.
Image - Teaser AI, screenshots by TechCrunch
AI Friends and Girlfriends
You may notice or even experience that after so many years, online dating has become a usual entertaining routine. The gamification and simplicity of usage turned dating apps into fast dopamine boosters. Like any other social media, there is content to scroll, messages to check, likes to collect, opinions to express, and people to chit-chat.
Speaking of cheat chat. Now, it’s even easier to deal with the sharp need for socialization and boredom. You don’t have to get out of your shell and discover people online to talk to. Good news for social phobics and introverts: now you don’t need people to socialize!
Replika
It may sound scary for some, but exciting for others, that now you can have a virtual AI friend who is “eager to learn and would love to see the world through your eyes”. This is the description of **Replika** - a personalized AI companion, with whom you can have non-judgmental and safe conversations. Unlike emotionally neutral ChatGPT, Replika added a human touch to their AI avatars, which you can create and customize to your preferences. During the registration process, you can choose the topics you are interested in, and even change the look of your virtual friend. It’s also possible to exchange selfies, voice messages, and even phone calls with this personalized AI. The company Luka, which gave birth to this project, has used its own algorithm and machine learning techniques since 2017.
In my own experience, the free version of Replika gave very simple and general answers and suggestions, so I was bored fast. However, there is a more advanced paid version of it for just $5.83 per month promises more real experience and deep talks. The AI that is used for the paid plan is based on a more advanced language model.
Blush
The company behind Replika, Luka, encountered an unexpected challenge when they initially launched their product. They soon realized that their "friendbot" was being repurposed as a virtual companion for intimate interactions (not entirely surprising, right?). Initially, they attempted to filter out adult and sexual content requests to align with their policies. However, they eventually decided to address this demand by creating a separate app called Blush.
Blush offers users a space to hone their romantic and intimate conversation skills. It boasts a library of seven pre-designed avatars, each with its own distinct personality and interests. However, users also have the flexibility to create a customized companion that aligns with their preferences and imagination.
Image - Blush Website
Blush positions itself as a dating simulator that provides users with a chance to learn the ins and outs of romantic relationships within a safe and non-judgmental space. It goes beyond just casual chatting, offering an opportunity to cultivate a long-term connection with your chosen avatar. You can even embark on virtual dates with them.
While Replika made its debut back in 2017 and had ample time to amass a devoted fan base on Reddit, Blush is a relatively new addition to the scene, having been released in June 2023. The app is available for a yearly subscription fee of $99.
FlowGPT: Characters’ prompts
Here's another noteworthy mention: FlowGPT, a platform designed for Language Model (LLM) prompts, offers a treasure trove of AI prompts for avatars and characters. It provides users with the opportunity to explore, employ, and share these prompts across various LLMs, making it a valuable resource for a wide range of applications and contexts.
FlowGPT also serves as a vast character library, encompassing various personalities, including characters suitable for romantic interactions. From adorable anime girls to intriguing Mistresses, the platform offers a vast collection of prompts to keep your interactions engaging. You can engage in conversations with these characters and even copy their prompts for use elsewhere.
If you are considering creating a virtual girlfriend, this service can inspire you for the character’s prompt. Remember, prompt is everything when it comes to the quality of AI replies. If you don't have confident prompt-writing skills, you can always seek assistance from those who excel in this area and use what already exists.
Image - FlowGPT, Characters Prompt Screenshot
How SkaDate can help to bring your AI fantasies to reality
The most popular inquiry that we receive from our clients who are planning to start their dating site is advanced AI matchmaking. Can AI just do its AI magic and match two people who are perfect for each other? Can it be a chat assistant like ChatGPT, where you inquire about your ideal partner, and it lists a couple of profile options?
Well, everything is possible, but you need the right team for that. And we at SkaDate are always happy to create an exciting custom dating project. You can book a call with us to discuss your project or simply leave us a message. We’ll provide you with all the guidance you need.
Alexa is a sure-handed digital marketing person who helps small and middle-size businesses to grow online. She believes that a well-thought SEO strategy, smart targeting, and communication strategy could skyrocket any business.
