Robot wingmen: how AI can revolutionise the dating scene

Dating apps are nothing new. Their nascence in the early noughties revolutionised how strangers connected, presenting a new world of romantic opportunity.

Authenticity, safety, and general dating fatigue are significant conversations connected to dating. Is this person who they say they are? Am I so bored of the same experience on so many apps that I’m missing out on a love interest? When is the right time to take this conversation off the app — have we already spent too long in the ‘talking stage’?

As an industry, we need to support our users and people in general by finding innovative ways to answer these questions. That answer could lie in artificial intelligence (AI) startups.

Robot wingmen?

AI is not a new technology, having been utilised for years by businesses to process data and optimise operations. However, the way in which it has integrated into our daily lives, from virtual assistants to improving our photos, has been exponential in recent years.

In the past few months, I’ve seen AI-powered concierges, dating partners, and even ‘wingmen’ emerge on the dating app scene. Whether these are powerful ways to leverage AI, or simply gimmicks as we wrestle with the brave new world, isn’t yet known. What’s important for tech players is to understand that responsible innovation must service humans.

AI can, and should, be used to optimise the experience and reignite the thrill of the early days of dating apps. But,as with every technological development,, AI must remain a tool for the end user not a self-serving or marketing ploy.

We’ve implemented AI at happn to identify suspicious behaviours on profiles, using deepened profile analyses to eliminate scammers. Biometric technology has also been leveraged to certify profiles. All of this allows our team to take action and ensure a safer place for singles.

Tired of the dating scene?

AI can also be a real solution when it comes to the more day-to-day issue of the famous dating fatigue. We developed ‘Daily’; a feature which presents our users with a carefully-curated selection of up to 10 profiles every morning, handpicked by the algorithm based on shared interests, spots they like to frequent together and shared hobbies.

We think of it as a digital crushmaker to help cut through the clutter and find potential partners that you’re more likely to get along with, and hopefully even see a few sparks fly.

Industry connections

Revitalising the experience of using dating apps and rebuilding trust creates an opportunity for industries like hospitality. Meeting spots are so important to the overall experience of a first date. They help create memorable experiences and drive deeper connections.

The benefits of this can be seen two-fold. Firstly, by getting more people out there and driving business towards coffee shops, museums, bars and nightclubs fordates, more hospitality businesses can be supported after years of challenges and the rising cost of living.

Secondly, it opens up a world of opportunities through partnerships within the app. These incentives and suggestions for new and unique dates can, with a little help from us, help users fall back in love with technology-driven dating.

Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO and President of happn

Karima has 20 years of experience working for online platforms and is also President of the Women In Dating movement. At happn, her ambition is to revive real life connections, making the dating experience even more local and authentic, based on the real life of singles.<br />

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