The 'wild, wild west' dating scene shows changing norms in 2026.

Montreal-based coach Kavita Ajwani describes 2026 dating as a confusing, low-trust environment shaped by apps and AI, and she says many people are leaning back toward in-person interactions and organic meetings.

Kavita Ajwani, a Montreal-based men's love coach who runs Dashing Date, says the current dating scene feels like the 'wild, wild west.' She describes a landscape complicated by dating apps, social media and the rise of AI, and says many singles are unsure how to act. App fatigue and questions about authenticity are common themes in 2026. Ajwani says this is driving interest in more in-person connections. Key points: - Ajwani previously ran a speed-dating company and a matchmaking agency and now helps men make connections through Dashing Date. - She describes the dating world as confusing and digitally polluted, with many people feeling uncertain about who is on the other end of the screen. - A 2023 Boston University College of Communication survey found more than 60% of respondents believed most people lie on dating apps and expressed concerns about artificial accounts. - Ajwani notes that about 40% of adult couples still meet online, but she advises against relying solely on apps. - She says people are showing renewed interest in analog, in-person experiences and in approaching dating with a more playful, compassionate mindset. Summary: Ajwani frames 2026 as a period of low trust where technology and app-driven behaviors complicate how people meet. Undetermined at this time.