AI Dating Apps in London Promise Soulmates Without Swiping
In a world where dating apps often exploit users and profiles can be misleading, a new wave of AI-powered platforms is emerging in London, promising a more thoughtful approach to finding love. These startups, such as Fate, leverage agentic AI to interview users and deliver limited matches based on personality compatibility, eliminating the endless swiping that dominates traditional apps.
How AI Dating Apps Work
Fate, a London-based startup launched in May, positions itself as the first agentic AI dating app. Users undergo an onboarding interview with an AI personality named Fate, which asks about their hopes and struggles. Based on this conversation, the app presents five potential matches, focusing on similarity and reciprocity of personality rather than superficial rankings.
Jasmine, a 28-year-old user who was single for three years, turned to Fate after finding popular apps like Hinge and Tinder repetitive. "I thought, why not sign up, try something different? It sounded quite cool using agentic AI, which is where the world is going now, isn’t it?" she said. The app also offers an AI coaching feature to guide users through interactions, which Jasmine found helpful, though others described it as "scary" and reminiscent of dystopian fiction.
Addressing Dating App Shortcomings
Rakesh Naidu, the 28-year-old founder of Fate, started the company to tackle issues with major dating platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. He criticizes these apps for monetizing user time and profiting from loneliness. "They are literally profiting off keeping people lonely," Naidu explained. Unlike traditional algorithms that rank users with scores like the Elo system—originally for chess—Fate uses large language models (LLMs) to match based on interview responses, aiming for authentic connections.
Other startups, such as Sitch and Keeper in the US, are also entering the market with AI features. Sitch uses AI to manage detailed user preferences, while Keeper claims to find matches with "rare and real soulmate potential." However, concerns persist about AI's role in dating.
Concerns and Skepticism
Amelia Miller, a consultant for Match Group, which owns Tinder and Hinge, expresses worry about AI guiding conversations. A recent study by the group surveyed 5,000 Europeans and found that 62% were skeptical of using AI for this purpose. Miller notes that while AI can help with tasks like crafting texts, it may reduce vulnerability in human interactions. "Often I’m trying to make sure that people aren’t turning to machines because turning to humans demands a level of vulnerability that has become uncomfortable now that there is an alternative," she said.
Jeremias, a Fate user for several months, avoids the AI coach due to concerns about real-world experience. "I could see it being helpful, but I mean there are obviously some concerns. Like the new generation are basically not going to have the real world experience of actually trying and failing," he remarked. However, he appreciates that Fate limits matches to five at a time and requires explanations for rejections, making the process more thoughtful.
Success Stories and Future Prospects
Despite skepticism, some users report positive outcomes. Jeremias met someone after a long period of being single in London, attributing it to Fate's matching or its structured approach. Jasmine also has a second date planned, expressing excitement about the experience. "It is exciting because you get like, you know, the butterflies in your stomach again, going on a date with someone, doing yourself up really nicely, wearing dresses, heels. It’s fun," she shared.
As AI dating apps gain traction in London, they offer a novel solution to dating fatigue and loneliness, though questions remain about their long-term impact on human connection and vulnerability.
