Cupidbot.ai - How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Dating Landscape
As we continue to use AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, and feed them information, these become "smarter" and similar to us
If you thought modern dating was already hard, it, unfortunately, seems to be getting more complicated. Online dating apps have been a staple for over a decade now, and as they become one of the main ways people are using to meet potential partners, users must consider the role of AI and its intricacies. Earlier this year, what seems to be a rogue group of former tinder employees posted on Reddit about their AI project, Cupidbot.ai. A platform seeking to help men, who, according to the post, were in a disadvantaged position in the dating app world, connect with potential matches and even get dates with women using AI technology. A quick browser search can take you to the service's home page, where creators claim they can "...filter out the attention seekers and only notify you when you get a date."
Some Reddit users have deemed this specific platform a scam but point to the fact that the premise of it can be easily replicated using similar chatbots such as chatGPT and that apps like this will start proliferating as more Ai tech becomes widely available. We've heard before that dating apps are "full of bots," mostly from straight men. Still, those were usually easy to spot, not only by looks but also by the apparent unnatural conversation. However, as we continue to use AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, and feed them information, these become "smarter" and more similar to us as they learn from our prompts and behavior. Having these bots manage entire conversations on dating apps will probably lead to the Ai gaining essential insights into diverse women's behavior and communication style, making it increasingly efficient and sophisticated.
The creators of Cupidbot.ai took advantage of this knowledge and the available technology, easily accessible to purchase, to create what seems like a very realistic, impressively "emotionally intelligent" bot that could swipe, match and maintain conversations with women in dating apps. Some of the features claimed on the site include "match only with your type of girl," "choose your tone," "automatic follow-ups," calendar integration," and even supports all major languages. And as daunting as this all sounds, the site paints its mission in a very innocent light, claiming to be "a team of machine learning engineers dedicated to enhancing the dating lives of men." So if this is all there is to it, what are the underlying consequences for the women chatting with these bots?
Well, first, this speaks to the inability many people, straight men, in this case, have to connect with other humans on a genuine level. Resorting to AI to hold a conversation because it would engage better with another user points out that AI is getting a better idea of what an ideal partner is to women, much more successfully than actual men. The glaring issue is that there's already deception from the start, as Cupidbot.ai users can manipulate so many variables of the interaction to create an unfair advantage, not only around the conversation but potentially around their physical appearance.
The women engaging with the AI bots can only spot that they're interacting with a robot once they meet the match in person, preferably on a preliminary video call. The danger lies in the fact that women could be exposed to scams, predators, or in the best-case scenario, a disappointing waste of time. If you've ever used dating apps, you know that those first few interactions with a match can be the deciding factor, as they help you identify glaring red flags or communication differences. As AI becomes able to mimic your tone and voice and learn from your conversations, which is something real people seem to have a lot of trouble with, that interaction becomes mostly a mirror image of yourself and far from a genuine connection.
In a world headed to a place where it'll be harder to distinguish fantasy (or Ai) from reality, prioritizing safety when online dating should be a priority. And as concerning and honestly disappointing as it is for women to have to worry about all of this, taking security measures to protect ourselves is imperative. Remember to take your time, use tools such as google numbers to protect your privacy, ask for a phone or video call before meeting in person, and finally, make sure you share your plans and even your location with someone you trust.