AI and online dating: challenges of spotting machine-written profiles

Users and researchers say AI is increasingly used to write dating profiles and messages, while major apps and third-party tools add AI features; how widely these tools are used and their long-term effects remain unclear.

People on dating apps are noticing messages and profiles that look like they were written by artificial intelligence. A user from Burlington, Ont., says she often matches with people to ask whether AI produced their profile and that she sometimes checks messages with AI-detection tools. Researchers and commentators are beginning to study how these tools are used and how dating platforms are integrating AI features. What is known: - Some users report stylistic signs they associate with AI, such as formulaic lists, unemotional wording, and certain punctuation patterns; one user ran a message through a ChatGPT checker that returned about 80% confidence it was AI-written. - Christopher Dietzel of Concordia University is studying AI in dating apps and plans a second phase of research that will involve interviews with people who use AI while dating. - Dating platforms and third-party services are adding AI tools. Hinge offers profile suggestions and a U.S. "Convo Starters" feature. Tinder uses AI for match recommendations and has trialed features that analyze photos with permission. Third-party apps such as RIZZ and Wingman also generate profile text or conversation prompts. - Grindr has introduced a premium tier called Edge that provides chat recaps and profile "insights," according to reporting. The precise number of users of these AI features is not known. - Some experts note potential benefits for people who face communication barriers, while others caution that AI features may not address deeper design issues in swipe-based dating systems. Summary: AI tools are changing how people present themselves and interact on dating apps, raising questions about authenticity and user experience. Researchers are beginning to gather firsthand accounts to learn how people use these tools and what effects they have. Adoption levels and the long-term impact of AI in online dating remain undetermined at this time.