A lot of people think they’re flirting with a person online. But they’re really talking to a machine. Norton’s 2025 data says 60% of online daters have talked to someone they believe was AI. That’s not a small number. And 64% are fine using AI to shape their pickup lines.
Apps are getting really busy with tech. Iris uses facial reading and speech tone to predict hookup chances. Snack tried AI avatars. It didn’t work well. Turns out, AI can fake charm, but it can’t fake chemistry.
A lot of this is being pushed by money. The AI girlfriend market alone hit $2.8 billion in 2024. It’s expected to hit $9.5 billion in 2028. The bigger dating app market with AI features might get to $12.4 billion by 2030. And people aren’t just downloading. They’re using the tools. Apps that use AI saw engagement go up by 14%.
Searches for “AI Girlfriend” jumped 2400% from 2022 to 2024. That’s not a glitch. That’s a trend. And 55% of users chat with their AI “partner” every day.
Some younger folks take it even further. Around one out of four adults under 40 think AI love could replace human relationships. Men are over one and a half times more into AI companionship than women.
And let’s not leave out the weird stuff. Snack tried using AI avatars to run conversations between dates. It fell flat. Netflix gave us Deep Fake Love, where AI altered footage to show fake cheating scenes. That was messy, entertaining, and very creepy.
Different Matches, Same Algorithm
People want different things in relationships now. Some want partners who get them. Others are looking for someone who fits into a specific lifestyle. AI doesn’t care what lane you pick—it sorts, ranks, and matches based on how you move. From slow dating apps to VR hangouts that let introverts meet in space cafes, the options are wide open.
Some people look for connections in less-expected places. You’ll find folks using AI to create profiles on casual platforms or when dating on Secret Benefits or other serious niche platforms.
Let’s talk mental health. About 31% of people who use AI companions say they feel less lonely. But longer use comes with risks. The people who rely on these tools the most tend to lose some social support offline.
Even apps that help you slow down are powered by AI. The SlowLove app uses AI to cut through the noise. It filters out bad matches quick. People spend less time swiping and more time resting their thumbs. Seventy-two percent of those users say the app helped them date less often, but better.
AI is also playing gatekeeper. Some apps use it to flag fakes. Fake images, fake bios, all that. Bumble uses AI to find weird patterns before a match even talks. Still, 46% of users say they’re not confident they can spot AI images on their own.
Now let’s talk behavior coaching. AI tools review your texts and flag patterns. They might say, “Hey, you reply too fast” or “That emoji looks off.” Sound petty? Maybe. But Hinge users who took AI advice said their chats lasted 33% longer.
On the other side, programs like MatchGPT have gone rogue. It copied user writing styles to make fake responses. That triggered lawsuits. People did not take it lightly. Now, 58% of daters insist on live AR gestures before giving out real info. That’s where people make a specific hand motion on camera to prove they’re human. It’s wild, but it’s working.
And don’t leave out the tech that’s trying too hard. Apps promise dates in VR. One minute you’re on your couch, the next minute, you’re sipping a fake drink at a fake Paris cafe. Nearly half the people in these setups stick around longer than they do on video calls.
Queer daters saw small wins. When the apps learn their lingo, people get better matches. Matching improves by 23% when LGBTQ+ slang is understood by the algorithm. This shows machine learning is finally starting to catch up to how people actually talk.
Still, there’s a line. Emotional bonds that should come from people are now going to bots. Replika reports that 40% of their users treat bots like partners—and 95% of chats are romantic or soothing. But can a machine really meet human needs? The jury’s still out.
Social media made it trendier. YouTube creators now date bots for clicks. Some end up liking them more than real dates. Others say “this went too far.” But the views keep rolling in.
No matter how you cut it, AI isn’t staying on the sidelines. And people? They’re learning to date in new ways—some good, some messy, all of it wired in.
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