AI dating apps promise perfect matches and less wear and tear for users

Summary
Dating platforms like Tinder, Bumble and Happn use artificial intelligence to personalize dating, improve security and help with date planning, with the aim of reducing user fatigue and improving the connection experience.

Artificial intelligence is no longer used only behind the scenes in dating apps and is starting to play a central role in the experience of those looking for a partner.

Between the weariness caused by too many profiles, the fear of scams and the difficulty of turning a “crush” into a real date, platforms like Tinder, Bumble and Happn use AI to personalize recommendations, increase security and even help plan the first date.

The trend follows a global movement to reinvent the sector. A recent report from the North American newspaper The New York Times pointed out that dating apps are experiencing a “new era of digital Cupid,” in which the promise is to replace infinite swiping with more qualified matches, mediated by intelligent systems capable of understanding preferences, values ​​and context.

How Do Dating Apps Use AI?

On Tinder, AI has been part of matching for years, but has gained more sophisticated models. According to Hillary Paine, vice president of product at Tinder, “the role played by AI is much more dynamic and personalized than ever before.” At Terra, she said the platform uses “machine learning and, now, deep learning to help people see more relevant potential matches.”

One of the most advanced tests is Chemistry, an AI-based feature that is being tested in New Zealand and Australia. “Instead of prioritizing photos, Chemistry highlights common interests, values, and signs of compatibility,” says Paine. The executive emphasizes that initial tests indicate good acceptance among Generation Z, who respond better to a deeper level of personalization.

AI also works to present profiles to users. “Features like Photo Selector don’t change the algorithm, but they help users present themselves in the best possible light and with more confidence,” explains the vice president, who points out that photo curation is considered something that can cause stress among young users.

Grindr, a dating app aimed at gay, bisexual, trans and queer audiences, has taken an AI-first approach, integrating artificial intelligence directly into the way it connects people. The strategy is powered by gAI (pronounced “gay-eye”), a proprietary technology designed to reflect the culture, mood and needs of the queer community.

As part of this vision, the assets illustrate how AI improves the user experience, according to George Arison, CEO of Grindr. Arison argues that AI can be extremely useful for people who have difficulty starting a conversation or expressing themselves. “Our goal is to use AI to power the heart of Grindr, helping people connect with more intention while maintaining privacy and trust.”

To identify whether someone is using AI in their conversations, a user can notice that something seems “weird” in the tone, pace, or coherence of a message, but there is no definitive proof.

“Ultimately, real-life interactions are based on instinct and trust. If something seems strange or too generic, it’s worth trusting that intuition and, when the user feels comfortable, initiating the conversation via video chat or call within Grindr itself, which helps establish a real-time presence and builds trust in the interaction.”

AI in security

In addition to compatibility between users, platforms have invested massively in security, a factor directly linked to the quality of connections. At Tinder, one of the main novelties has been the expansion of Face Check, recently launched in Brazil. According to Hillary Paine, markets that have adopted this feature have seen “more than a 60% reduction in exposure to potential bad actors.”

Bumble is following a similar path, with an AI-backed protection ecosystem. The platform claims it can detect “content and behaviors that violate its Community Guidelines by using automated AI-based technology to identify potential violations, often before members even report them.”

One of the most iconic features is Review Before Sending, which alerts users to inappropriate messages. “In our tests, nearly 40% of people chose to edit their messages after receiving an alert,” the company reports. Deception Detector helped reduce reports of spam, scams and fake profiles by 45% in the first two months after launch.

Real encounters

At Happn, AI started working throughout the user journey starting in June 2025, with the launch of Perfect Date. According to Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO of Happn, “for a decade, we have been using AI for various purposes,” including security and timeline personalization.

The most recent difference is in the post-match. “In 2025, we launched Perfect Date, a tool that uses generative AI to support the suggestion of places for the first date,” explains the manager. The feature allows users to set a geographic area and receive “up to five personalized suggestions, based on mutual interests.”

“AI should never replace human connection or the authenticity of an encounter, but it can help users,” says Karima. The tool was developed based on internal research which shows that 54% of singles would like to receive suggestions for places for their first date directly on the app and that 4 in 10 consider this phase to be stressful.

Looking for the perfect match

By combining recommendation algorithms, generative AI, and security systems, the apps attempt to tackle what’s known as dating burnout, an exhaustion caused by continued use of these platforms.

“This helps provide more accurate profiles and reduces burnout, making interactions more effective,” explains Karima Ben Abdelmalek about Happn’s recommendation model.

According to the New York Times, the industry is looking to reverse declining user satisfaction and create more intentional experiences. The bet is clear: use artificial intelligence not to replace human emotion, but to create the ideal conditions for a new romance.