Five ways to spot an AI-generated dating profile
Tinder Swindlers aren’t the only dangers of using online dating sites and apps today – find out how to avoid falling for an AI-generated profile.
A recent interview revealed that online dating companies such as Hinge are planning to introduce assistive AI features to apps, with the hope of streamlining and increasing efficiency, from likes to lovers.
It’s apparent that the online dating industry is facing big transformations. But who is most likely to use AI to meet their match online? And how can you tell the difference between AI-generated love notes and genuine human connection?
The experts at AIPRM surveyed over 6,000 respondents on the use of AI in their dating profiles. Here are some of the key findings from the survey:
- More than six million US adults (1.9%) admitted to using AI in their dating profiles in 2023.
- AI use in dating is most prevalent amongst the 61+ age group – 140,000 (2.2%) of ‘boomers’ use it to boost their dating profiles.
- Men (2.2%) are slightly more likely than women (1.9%) to use AI for dating.
However, Christoph C. Cemper, founder of AIPRM cautions that using AI to improve, tune and optimise dating profiles with text and images could have some really scary results and privacy implications.
Advanced AI dating platforms could collect and analyse voice patterns, facial expressions from short videos and even DNA samples. It can also use that much richer and original data to match people (although so far it doesn’t appear that any dating platforms are doing that).
According to Cristoph, popular platforms like Tinder are basically paid versions of the HotOrNot website from 20 years ago and users are merely swiping for dopamine as matches are more random than anything.
Responsible use of AI on dating platforms could bring partner matching to a new level, but it also comes with risks for users who could end up falling for someone who is nothing like their profile and online communication.
Five ways to spot an AI-generated dating profile
Spotting AI use in dating profiles can be a bit like detective work, but there are some telltale signs that might just give the game away. Here are five things to look out for when trying to tell the difference between a genuine human being, and an IA-generated dating profile.
1) Overly polished or generic language
AI-generated profiles often rely on generic and polished language. If the profile reads like it’s been crafted by a marketing team rather than a person, and lacks humour, personal quirks or genuine conversational elements, it might be a red flag.
AI may struggle to provide natural responses to specific questions. If you notice consistently generic answers, it could be a sign that you’re interacting with a program rather than a person.
2) Inconsistent information
If there are inconsistencies in the information provided, such as contradictory details about hobbies, interests, or personal stories, it could indicate that the profile has been generated by an algorithm.
It’s worth noting that humans are naturally prone to inconsistencies, but certain patterns of contradiction may be a cause for concern. Check for conflicting details about their personal history, interests, or even basic information like age and location. A lack of coherence in the narrative could suggest automated content creation.
3) Perfectly edited pics
In today’s world of Facetune apps and perfectly edited selfies, it is getting increasingly difficult to spot when a photo has been altered, but if a photo looks too good to be true, there may be a chance it’s been AI generated.
AI-generated profiles may use stock photos or images that look ‘off’ in some way. For example, if the photos seem too perfect or lack the candid imperfections of everyday life, it could be a sign of AI involvement. It’s always a good idea to run a reverse image search on profile pictures to see if they appear on stock photo websites, or are flagged up as AI generated.
4) Consistent online activity or rapid responses
AI doesn’t need to rest, so an unusually consistent online presence, especially at odd hours, might be a sign of automated activity. Humans, on the other hand, have natural patterns of rest and activity.
While speedy response times from a prospective match could indicate genuine interest, AI-generated profiles may reply with unusual speed and consistency. If responses come instantly, especially to complex questions, without any indication of consideration or thought, it could suggest automation.
5) Strange conversational shifts
Observe if the conversation takes unexpected shifts or if the profile doesn’t respond appropriately to changes in topic or tone. AI might struggle with context and may respond in ways that seem out of place in a human conversation.
How to catch AI dating bots out
If you suspect you may be chatting to an AI bot on a dating site, Cristoph has a simple tip that can help you catch them out. He suggests asking a complex or abstract question that requires genuine thought. If the response seems too perfect or avoids the question entirely, it might be a sign of AI struggling with nuanced human interaction.
