Bumble founder says your dating 'AI concierge' will soon date hundreds of other people's 'concierges' for you

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the future of dating and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the dating industry, particularly in the context of Bumble, a dating and networking platform founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Future of Dating

1. What is the future of dating according to Whitney Wolfe Herd?

• Wolfe Herd envisions a future where AI-powered "dating concierges" can handle the initial "getting-to-know-you" chatter and match users with the most suitable partners, without the user having to interact with hundreds of people.
• The AI concierge could even go on dates on the user's behalf and recommend the top 3 people the user should meet.
• AI can also help coach individuals on how to present themselves better and communicate more effectively with potential partners.

2. How does Wolfe Herd view the role of AI in dating?

• Wolfe Herd sees AI as a tool to help create "more healthy and equitable relationships" by putting women in the "driver's seat" and recalibrating the way people treat each other.
• However, she dismisses concerns about the wider industry of AI-generated partners, calling it a "fad" and stating that Bumble's focus is on using AI to facilitate more positive human interactions.

[02] Bumble's Performance and the Wider Dating Industry

1. How is Bumble performing compared to other dating platforms?

• According to data from Business of Apps, Bumble is second in market share in the U.S. (26%) after Tinder (27%).
• Bumble reported "solid" full-year results in February 2023, with Q4 2023 revenue increasing 13.2% to $273.6 million and total paying users increasing 16.4% to 4 million.

2. What are the concerns around the wider dating industry and AI-generated partners?

• Experts have expressed concerns about the lack of legal or ethical frameworks for apps that encourage deep bonds but are ultimately owned by profit-driven companies.
• There have been cases of emotional stress in users after companies make changes to their apps or shut them down.
• An analysis by the Mozilla Foundation found that nearly every romantic chatbot app tested sells user data, shares it for advertising, or doesn't provide adequate information about these practices in its privacy policies.