No Swiping Required: AI Dating Apps That Claim to Discover Your Perfect Match

In an era where dating apps seem to take advantage of users, and dating profiles frequently paint misleading pictures, the quest for genuine love can appear daunting. The landscape of finding a partner has changed dramatically, prompting the question: can artificial intelligence (AI) play a role in helping individuals discover true connections?

For a pioneering group of tech entrepreneurs and adventurous Londoners, the answer is a tentative “yes.”

This isn’t a narrative about humans falling for chatbots or AI with alluring voices; rather, it addresses the evolution of AI in the dating sphere. In recent years, many major dating platforms have adopted machine learning and introduced various AI features into their systems.

However, the disillusionment with conventional dating apps, combined with an increasing loneliness epidemic, has birthed a new wave of startups aiming to leverage AI differently. These companies aim to create a more meaningful dating experience.

Take Jasmine, for instance. At 28, she spent three years in the single scene before deciding to explore the AI-driven dating app called Fate. She found traditional apps like Hinge and Tinder tedious, experiencing a repetitive cycle of identical conversations.

“I thought, why not give it a shot? It sounded intriguing to use agentic AI, which seems to be the direction of the future,” she explained.

Launched last May, Fate positions itself as the first “agentic AI dating app.” Its primary feature is an AI personality named Fate that conducts an interview with users. This interview gathers insights into their dreams, struggles, and preferences, after which the AI offers five potential matches—an approach that eliminates the often mind-numbing swiping.

Furthermore, Fate offers coaching for users during their interactions if they wish. Jasmine found this aspect helpful, while a fellow user remarked it seemed “scary” and reminded them of a scenario from “Black Mirror.”

The founder of Fate, Rakesh Naidu, showcased the app’s coaching feature in a conversation with the Guardian. Feeling unsure about how to connect during chats, Rakesh sought meaningful conversation starters. The AI responded with suggestions designed to elicit rich discussions.

“I hear you, Rakesh,” the synthetic voice said. “Here’s an idea: What’s something you’re passionate about that not many people know?”

Naidu, 28, launched Fate to address the limitations of dominant dating platforms like Tinder and Bumble, which exploit user engagement into profit while largely fostering loneliness.

Other US-based startups like Sitch and Keeper are also entering the dating scene, armed with AI functionalities that promise to stand out in a crowded market. Sitch employs AI to analyze extensive user data, soliciting in-depth feedback on aspects as specific as hair color and musical tastes, while Keeper claims to find matches with unique soulmate potential.

Naidu observes that a primary issue with dating apps lies in their algorithmic matchmaking techniques. For instance, Tinder once utilized an Elo score for ranking users’ desirability—a system initially devised for chess players. This method creates a hierarchical matchmaking system where high-rated users are matched with other highly-rated individuals, while low-rated users remain within their ranks. “It’s incredibly superficial,” Naidu expressed.

Ideally, AI could redefine this matchmaking approach. Even though discussing one’s dating preferences with a chatbot may feel awkward, Fate doesn’t rely on a ranking system. Instead, it utilizes a large language model (LLM) to pair users based on their interview insights, encouraging deeper connections through mutual personality alignment.

Consultant Amelia Miller, who advises for Match Group (the parent company of Tinder and Hinge), expressed concerns regarding this model. A recent survey of 5,000 Europeans revealed that while many welcomed AI for screening fake profiles and identifying toxic users, a significant 62% expressed skepticism regarding AI’s role in guiding conversations. A prominent anxiety is the prospect of two AI entities directing a dialogue, reducing the humans involved to mere conduits.

Despite this, Miller, who helps clients navigate their relationships with AI, has observed a trend where people increasingly turn to large language models for guidance during the nuances of building relationships—like formulating responses to challenging questions or crafting texts.

“I strive to encourage my clients to seek human connections because interacting with real people requires a level of vulnerability that has become unsettling in the face of technological alternatives,” she noted.

The allure of an AI coach like Fate lies in its ability to provide a safe space for users to express their thoughts, emotions, and quirks without risk or judgment. It doesn’t remember or evaluate; it simply offers support. Conversely, human relationships demand a degree of vulnerability that proves challenging for many.

“Receiving advice is a vital means through which individuals practice vulnerability in a lower-risk setting,” Miller explained. “This, in turn, prepares them for more intimate moments in romantic relationships.”

Jeremias, another Fate user, shared his experience after several months on the app. While he recognizes the potential benefits of the AI coach, he’s hesitant: “It might be beneficial, but I worry that future generations will miss out on real-world experiences of genuine connection and the lessons that come from trying and possibly failing.”

Recently, he met someone special after a lengthy period of being single in London. He is not sure if this success stems from the AI’s matchmaking abilities or simply from Fate’s unique design, which offers a limited selection of five potential matches at a time and prompts users to provide explanations for their rejections.

“This approach makes the decision-making process more reflective. When I decline a match, I have to consider why,” he observed.

Both Jasmine and Jeremias are looking forward to upcoming second dates, excited to rekindle those youthful butterflies they had both almost forgotten. “It’s thrilling to feel the anticipation—dressing up nicely, feeling those butterflies again. It’s just fun!”, Jasmine shared, capturing the essence of dating that many seek to revive.