🤖 Catfished by AI

NP #013

Neon Pulse Team
June 25, 2023

Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of neonpulse!

Today’s issue is all about the intersection between dating and AI. Some dating apps are embracing it, while others see it as a curse for the industry…

Catfished by AI

AI has many great use cases. However, some could potentially be dangerous too. Deepfakes, for instance, can be a concerning aspect of AI, as they have the potential to deceive and manipulate people by creating highly realistic but fabricated videos or images.

Deepfakes have the power to make the president, a celebrity or a CEO say things they never actually said. This could have huge consequences. Another example you probably didn’t think of, is that deepfakes and AI-generated images could create “dating personas” that don’t actually exist.

The day you’ll match with an “AI-avatar” on Hinge or Tinder seems to be coming closer and closer.

According to expert Jay Dodds, the co-founder of BONKERS, a safety app for dating, the increasing use of AI in dating apps is nothing short of devastating.

Jay warned that sneaky scammers could exploit AI to deceive unsuspecting singles. "Criminals and catfishes could 100% use AI to dupe unsuspecting singles", he said. His app takes a strong stance against using AI to manipulate profiles, stressing the importance of authenticity in the dating world.

Jay also pointed out that AI could create false verifications, tricking users into believing someone is of a different age. "We want all of our users to be 18+, but AI could create images and bios to reflect a false age on someone's profile. This is dangerous and does not protect the user."

Other dating platforms are taking a different stance, by embracing AI into their apps. Iris Dating, for example, uses AI to match users based on their perceived attractiveness, while Your Move takes it a step further by generating responses for users to send to their matches. Their "Banter Bot" serves up pre-written responses that often end up being cringe-worthy and impersonal.

Jay voiced his concerns about the rapid pace at which we're embracing AI in dating apps, stating, "I believe we are moving too fast and do not fully understand how to control the capabilities of AI. Its place should not be within dating apps. We should be creating tools to keep users safe and give them confidence, not encouraging them to change just to be loved."

Tinder responded by highlighting the use of AI in supporting moderation and promoting positive behavior on the app. They employ real-time features like "Are You Sure?" and "Does This Bother You?" to keep things in check. A Tinder spokesperson added that AI could serve as a "digital wingmate”, helping users with icebreakers or opening lines.

AI has the potential to be both a blessing and a curse in the world of online dating. While some say that AI can’t replace the authentic human connection, others say that AI can actually enhance it. What do you think?