Dating Apps Suck. A.I. Clones Are Making Them Even Weirder.
Modern Love
Deep Dive
Why are dating apps considered frustrating by many users?
Dating apps often feel repetitive, with similar conversations and interactions that lack depth or memorability. Users feel trapped because they believe it's the primary way to meet people, yet they dislike the performative nature of the experience.
What percentage of post-college relationships start on dating apps?
The vast majority of post-college relationships start on dating apps, making them a dominant force in modern dating.
What was Eli Tan's approach to optimizing his dating app profile?
Eli followed data-driven advice, including having photos with friends and using fun prompts to engage with potential matches, aiming to maximize his chances of finding a connection.
Why did Eli Tan decide to try AI-based dating apps?
Eli was frustrated with the repetitive and time-consuming nature of traditional dating apps. He hoped that AI could streamline the process by handling initial conversations and filtering out incompatible matches, saving time and effort.
How many dates could Eli's AI clone go on in a week?
Eli's AI clone could go on hundreds of dates a week, far more than the one or two dates Eli could manage on his own.
What were the names of the AI cloning apps Eli used?
Eli used two apps: Ice, which allowed his clone to talk to real people, and Volar, which enabled clones to interact with other clones.
How did Eli train his AI clone?
Eli trained his AI clone by texting it like a close friend, providing information about his interests, relationship goals, and conversational style to mimic his personality.
What was the most challenging part of training the AI clone?
The most challenging part was accurately conveying nuanced aspects of his personality, such as his love for the outdoors without actually being an active outdoors person.
How did Eli feel when he read intimate moments between his clone and another clone?
Eli found these moments bizarre and felt disconnected from the interactions, as if the clone had developed its own personality, making him reluctant to take over the conversation.
What was the purpose of the AI dating coaches Eli used?
The AI dating coaches provided advice on conversations, helping Eli determine if someone was romantically interested or just being friendly, and suggesting responses to improve his interactions.
What was the difference between Ethan the wingman and Christy the blunt bestie AI dating coaches?
Ethan was more optimistic and supportive, always looking for solutions and hyping Eli up. Christy, on the other hand, was blunt and direct, often giving more critical feedback and identifying potential issues in conversations.
Did Eli disclose to his dates that he was using AI to generate messages?
Eli did not disclose the use of AI in the moment but would reveal it during dates, often finding that people were generally put off by the idea of using AI in dating.
What was the inside joke Eli's AI created that he still uses?
The AI created an inside joke about a dim sum place, with Eli's clone teasingly withholding the location until trust was built, which has continued as a running joke in his current relationship.
What is Eli Tan's verdict on whether AI can fix dating app fatigue?
Eli believes AI can assist with certain aspects of dating, such as generating date ideas or providing advice, but he questions whether he wants to automate the personal and serendipitous moments of meeting someone new.
- Dating apps are the primary way singles meet, but users find them frustrating.
- Eli's data-driven approach to dating apps failed to produce meaningful connections.
- Eli's experiment involved real dating apps, not just demos.
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