Modern dating has a new double standard: what AI is doing to online dating (www.washingtonpost.com)

A growing trend in online dating is the use of AI tools by platforms like Bumble and Tinder, which help users craft optimized profiles that enhance their appeal. These AI-generated profiles can rephrase user biographies, select photos, and suggest conversation starters, promising to present a "best self" to potential matches. However, this convenience raises concerns about authenticity, as many daters express discomfort at the prospect of interacting with AI-enhanced personas. A study from the University of California highlights this issue, noting that OpenAI's GPT-4.5 is perceived as more human-like than actual individuals, leading to a new kind of double standard in dating. While a substantial portion of Gen Z and millennials actively use AI for profile optimization, research indicates that many prefer genuine human interaction, suggesting that AI may enhance quantity of matches but not the quality of connections. As more users adopt these AI tools, dating profiles risk becoming homogenized, potentially diluting the personal quirks and unique characteristics that foster meaningful interactions. As the dating landscape shifts, the balance between optimization and authenticity remains critical, as real relationships flourish in genuine human connections, not AI-represented personas.