AI

Artificial Intelligence, Dating Apps, and the Future of Romance.

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Dating and Romance.

Illustration by Namrata Vansadia

Introduction

Artificial intelligence and the future of dating and romance can help you find a better match for you via powerful pattern mapping. Love is the basis of human experience, yet it remains one of the most challenging emotions to understand and define. Since the dawn of time, we have been searching for that special someone to share our lives with, and in recent years, technology has begun to play an increasingly important role in this quest.

The advent of online dating has transformed the way we connect with potential partners, and the growth of social media has created new opportunities for building relationships. But as our interactions with technology become more and more intimate, what role will artificial intelligence (AI) play in our search for love?

AI is disrupting virtually every other area of our lives, from how we work and communicate to how we shop and consume. So it’s only natural to wonder how this technology will change the dating industry and romance. This blog post will explore how AI is already impacting the world of love and speculate on how it might shape our relationships in the future.

Artificial Intelligence in the future of  dating and romance will be a facilitator rather than a replacement. With complex data collection points via apps and portals, deeper predictive analytics, and connecting our alternate lives in AR/VR worlds, and Metaverse, AI will be a critical ingredient in the match making process which includes, equality, equity, social implications and the quest for a perfect match. 

Artificial Intelligence in Dating.

The most obvious way AI is changing the dating world is through the proliferation of online dating apps. In the past, people typically met potential partners through friends, work, or other social interactions. But with the advent of dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, people can now connect with potential partners more efficiently and with less social stigma.

But what about the perfect partner? AI platforms can use smart filters and DNA romance to find the perfect match for their users. By using data from social media platforms, dating apps can now suggest potential matches based on interests, hobbies, and even political views. And as DNA testing becomes more accessible and affordable, we will likely see more A.I-assisted matchmaking in the future.

Source: YouTube

AI isn’t just changing the way we find potential partners; it’s also changing the way we interact with them. Soon, we could see AI help couples plan their potential dates by suggesting activities based on the couple’s common interests and preferences.

Also Read: Robotic Romance

AI is a facilitator, not a replacement.

Now, that’s not to say every human relationship will result from artificial intelligence. There’s still a problem with fake profiles, physical appearance preference, and even scent. But AI can help facilitate human connection by making it easier to find potential partners and break the ice.

In cases like Gen Z and their preference for online communication, AI can help by being that middleman to set up real-life interactions.

In the future, AI might even help us better understand our romantic partners. By analyzing our behavior patterns, AI could provide insights into our relationships that we would never be able to see on our own. And while this might sound like a scary prospect, it could actually help us to avoid some of the pitfalls of modern dating.

Also Read: The internet of everything – Our relationship with the internet

Dumping your data into the dating sandbox

While this all sounds good in theory, it all begins with data, and that’s where things get tricky. In order for AI to be effective in the world of dating, it needs access to massive data sets. And given the intimate nature of our relationships, this raises some serious privacy concerns.

For example, imagine you’re using a dating app that uses AI to suggest matches. In order for the app to work, it needs access to your personal data, including your location, age, gender, and interests. And while you might trust the app with this information, what happens to all that data once it’s been collected?

In most cases, the terms of service for these apps state that the company can do whatever it wants with your data. This means they can sell it to third-party companies or use it to target you with ads. In the age of data breaches, it’s also possible that this information could fall into the wrong hands.

Machine-learning love

Human relationships are complex and nuanced, and many people have yet to understand them fully. But with the help of AI, we might be able to understand better how love works and how to maintain a healthier, loving relationship. A virtual assistant could be the third wheel you always wanted on your date.

This dating advice could change the dating landscape forever, and it might even help to save some relationships along the way. It could analyze personality traits and interests to find common ground between you and your date. It could even help to mediate arguments by providing objective insights into the situation.

In the future, AI might even be able to create entire relationships independently. Dating platforms like eHarmony already use algorithms to match potential partners, and it’s not hard to imagine a future where AI takes things one step further by actually communicating with these matches on our behalf.

Gene matchmaking

Dating profiles extend beyond basic information like interests and personality traits. In the future, they could also include our DNA. The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a region of the genome that helps to regulate the immune system. And according to some studies, it might also play a role in attraction and emotional connection.

This dating type could be used by dating websites to match people based on their MHC genes. And while this might sound like science fiction, it’s actually not that far-fetched. 23andMe already offers a service that allows users to find their MHC type, and it’s only a matter of time before this information appears in dating profiles.

DNA matchmaking

Another way to find compatible partners is through DNA matchmaking. This is a new type of dating that uses DNA to find potential matches. The idea is that by understanding our genetic code, we can find people who are more likely to share our personality types. Relationship experts believe that this type of matching algorithm can identify personality markers that are associated with long-term compatibility.

So far, the DNA matching algorithm is still in its infancy, and there are only a handful of companies offering this dating service. But as our understanding of genetics grows, DNA matching will likely become more common. Your future life partner could be just a DNA test away.

VR and AR

Healthy relationships come in all shapes and sizes, including long-distance relationships. And while technology has made it easier to stay connected with our loved ones, there’s still nothing quite like the human connection of being in the same room.

But what if you could be in the same room, even when you’re miles apart? That’s the idea behind virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). These technologies could enable you to find a virtual partner and have a virtual date. You could even get married in VR.

You could also find ideal date locations. Fancy a baguette in the Eiffel Tower? Or how about a romantic stroll on a beach in Hawaii? With VR and AR, the possibilities are endless. And while you couldn’t touch a virtual partner just yet, haptic technology is getting closer to making this a reality. Real-life dates for relationships in the future might also include AR experiences that enhance the physical world around you.

Dating in the Metaverse

The Metaverse is a term used to describe a shared virtual space where people can interact with each other and digital content. It’s often described as a mix of the physical and virtual worlds. Using pictures of users, we could transform their facial features with facial recognition software to give everyone in the Metaverse an-AI generated face that looks like them.

This shared virtual space could be used for dating in the future. You could go on a date in the Metaverse with someone from anywhere. And because they also used facial recognition to create their avatars, there’s no need to worry about dating scams like catfishing.

In addition, your human partner could provide audio snippets of themselves that could be used to generate a realistic voice for your virtual date. So not only would you be able to see and hear your date, but you would also be able to feel their presence.

AI can also create robotic partners in the Metaverse. These robotic partners would be powered by GPT-3, the same AI that generates realistic text. And just like with human partners, you would be able to interact with robotic partners in various ways, including conversations, creating memories, and sexual relations.

Human-android romance is no longer just the stuff of science fiction. Although human-android romances are still taboo in some parts of the world, they will likely become more accepted in the future. In Japan, many companies already make lifelike love dolls powered by AI. These experiences aren’t restricted online anymore, you can live out your fantasies in real life. 

Source: YouTube

Equality

Digital matchmakers could also help to create an equal society. For example, if we use dating algorithms to match people based on their personality type, we could help develop relationships built on compatibility and mutual respect.

This is especially important for marginalized groups who often face discrimination in the dating world. For instance, trans and queer people often have difficulty finding partners who accept them for who they are. But with digital matchmaking, we could create a more inclusive dating landscape where everyone can find the right partner for a loving relationship.

Social Implications

Of course, with any new technology, there are always social implications to consider. And dating is no different. For instance, one of the biggest concerns around AI and dating is data privacy. We saw what the Ashley Madison data leak did to married people’s lives. And with more and more people using dating apps, it’s only a matter of time before another significant data breach happens.

But unfaithful married people aren’t the only ones who need to worry about their privacy. Anyone who uses a dating app is at risk of having their personal data leaked. And once your data is out there, it’s almost impossible to get it back.

Another social implication of AI and dating is the potential for deepfake abuse. Deepfakes are fake videos or images that are created using AI. And they can be used to create realistic yet synthetic images or videos of people. Deepfakes are often used for entertainment purposes, but they could find their way into the dating scene.

Imagine a situation where hundreds or thousands of guys are ‘dating’ the same girl. The girl could be a deepfake created by someone with malicious intent. And the guys would never know that they’re not actually interacting with a real person. Thankfully, human intelligence services are already working on ways to detect deepfakes. But it’s still a concern that we need to be aware of.

Finally, there’s the issue of addiction. Dating apps are designed to keep you coming back for more. They’re addictive by design and the accuracy of AI will make them even more so. This addiction can lead to some very negative consequences, like loneliness and social isolation.

Source: YouTube

Business Implications 

As for the businesses behind this revolution, they will be responsible for safeguarding our data, protecting us from malicious actors. But they will also benefit greatly from the data they collect on us.

Dating apps are already big business. And with the addition of AI, they’re only going to get bigger. In fact, some estimates suggest that the online dating industry will be worth $4.5 billion by 2025. That’s a lot of money. And it’s all thanks to the power of AI.

Other businesses worldwide will also benefit from the rise of AI in dating. For instance, sex toy companies are likely to see a boost in sales. And event planners could see a surge in demand for romantic getaways and special occasions.

So, while there are some social implications to consider, there’s no doubt that AI will have a big impact on the dating world. And that impact will be felt by businesses and consumers alike.

Also Read: China’s ‘Social Credit’ System

Conclusion

Dating is changing. And AI is driving that change. What was once the mission of a lifetime is now being done by algorithms in a few months.

So, there you have it. These are just some ways that AI will change the dating landscape in the future. What do you think? Are you excited about the possibilities of digital matchmaking? Or are you worried about the potential implications of this technology? Let us know in the comments below.

References

Bender, Stephanie. Ethics for the Future: Perspectives from 21st Century Fiction. transcript Verlag, 2023.

Brooks, Rob. Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers. Columbia University Press, 2021.

Shchepetova, Karina. The Future of Love: Exploring AI, Extraterrestrial Relationships, and the Algorithm of the Perfect Match. Litres, 2023.

Steele, Aria. The Virtual Hearts: Exploring the Complexities of Cyber Love. Independently Published, 2023.