Valentine’s Day is above us and marks the celebration of love and relationships. Many of them have now been found online. With 30% of US adults report using dating sites and apps, hopeful romantics continue their research into “one true love.” But will they get a match made in heaven? Or will statistical models and algorithms continue to crave more?
Online dating has changed the way people all over the world connect and discover their partners. Today, advances in AI are revolutionizing how people meet, communicate and form connections. AI can be used to help you find “The One”, but the widespread availability of AI tools has pose countless risks and harm to people on dating apps and sites. From catfishing to bots, AI has been easier than ever, falling in love and breaking your heart.
Online dating has come a long way from the days of boring static profiles. Some of the first mentions of online dating dates date back to 1959. It took up to three weeks to coordinate a couple’s process by computer scientists using a 5 tonne computer. In the early 2000s, eHarmony was one of the first companies to develop and use matching algorithms to pair users with compatible partners. Other companies have begun offering algorithm matchmaking to users based on what other companies are looking for. The widespread use of AI has made matchmaking even more instantaneous. Swipe your finger to find people near and around your area who have similar interests, and quickly have conversations and form deep, meaningful relationships without meeting IRL.
According to a 2022 survey, three in 10 adults use dating apps in the US, many reporting troubles related to fraud and harassment. Dating online can be challenging, especially in large, competitive dating pools. Many users have advantages in the generation AI by using tools such as CHATGPT to improve profiles, enhance images, and even writing messages. Some companies, such as Voller, which is no longer obsolete, are developing dated avatars for you. This new way of dating online may make users think that the perfect match is just a button, but many people still have the risks and harms that AI is posing to users. It’s vulnerable.
One of the biggest pitfalls of online dating in the age of AI is its role that enables catfishing. Catfishing is the act of setting up a fake online identity and using that identity to trick or deceive people. With the help of AI, creating a fake profile is only a few clicks. Create surreal images and composite media such as Deepfake video and audio using AI tools. People have created bots that look like real people to scam users from money. As if dating isn’t difficult enough, users need to navigate suspicious, mistrustful and romantic interactions.
AI is used to enable cat fishing, but it can also be used to use it. Companies such as Bumble are working to combat catfishing through the use of a verification process. In 2024, Bumble published a case study examining how it implemented the PAI synthetic media framework. This is a shared set of values, recommendations, and best practices to ensure AI technology builders, synthetic content creators and distributors can use AI tools responsibly. The case study focuses on the photo verification process developed by Bumble in 2016, comparing it to selfies that users are asked to employ and submit user profile photos using AI. Such validation tools help ensure that real people are behind their profiles, and help businesses keep users safe from catfishing.
Companies work hard to combat catfishing, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to detect synthetic content. That’s why it’s important to understand how users can stay safe while dating online.
Online dating is difficult enough without worrying about scammers. Here are some tips to keep you safe.
Find a general profile and unnaturally perfect photo. Make sure someone is the person they say on a video call or in-person meeting. Search for images from reverse image users to check for reliability. Do not send users’ money or provide personal documents. If this love seems too good, it is probably!
As AI continues to shape the world we live in, it poses new risks and harms that we must be vigilant about. This Valentine’s Day is not just a day to celebrate love and connection, but also an opportunity to learn how to navigate the changing landscape of online dating in the age of AI. Sign up for our newsletter to keep our work up to date in building responsible AI systems and policies.
