Almost half of U.S. singles feel negatively about AI in dating, Match says

Nearly half of U.S. singles hold a negative view of artificial intelligence in romantic contexts, according to a new survey from Match Group, the company behind Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid [1]. The survey of 1,000 people aged 18 to 39 found that 47% of singles view AI's role in romance unfavorably [1]. The sentiment intensifies around AI companion apps: 40% of all singles said they would refuse to date someone who uses such an app, a figure that climbs to 51% among women aged 18 to 24 [1]. Only 12% of 18- to 24-year-olds reported using a companion app over the last three months, and roughly one-third of those users said they were seeking genuine connections with the chatbots [1]. Dating, as a social practice, involves planned encounters with romantic or intimate intent, and psychological research suggests it can function as a form of personal growth through shared experiences and emotional exchange [2]. The introduction of AI into this process has been met with caution. Match Group noted a "near-universal" disapproval of dating an AI itself, but the survey also found that 64% of respondents could see how AI might assist them in their dating journey [1]. Match Group's brands have been active in the AI space. Hinge, fully owned by Match Group as of February 2019, is a platform that emphasizes user-generated content like photos, videos, and voice recordings to express personality [6]. Bumble, a competitor founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd and launched in December 2014, operates a model where women initiate communication after a match [5]. Bumble has introduced an AI dating assistant named Bee, while Tinder has directed significant spending toward AI tools [1]. "Ask singles what they want from AI in dating, and the answer is pretty consistent: help with the hard parts, but hands off for the human parts," Match wrote in a blog post [1]. The company added that users will accept AI assistance for profile writing or conversation prompts, but "the actual connection is still theirs to create" [1]. Other dating applications are also integrating algorithmic matching. Hily, an app whose name stands for "Hey, I Like You," matches users by analyzing backgrounds, interests, and in-app activity [7]. The broader industry push toward AI features has not erased user skepticism, particularly around authenticity. Match's findings suggest that while singles are open to AI as a tool for logistical support, they draw a firm boundary at automating emotional connection [1].