Dating AI: Risqué or risky?

A candid end-of-year deep dive

DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed in the overview section of this article are those of an independent expert and do not reflect the views of AIport staff. The content below is not subject to promotion by any third party. Rated R.

With the advancement of machine learning, AI-powered dating has really taken off. Most “traditional” dating apps, including Match Group’s Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid, as well as Bumble and Grindr, have integrated AI into their algorithms. These updates aim to improve match accuracy, assist with photo selection, and offer ice-breakers.

Another category of apps, including Rizz and Keys, is dubbed “AI wingmen.” These apps coach and support users in effectively communicating with their crushes on third-party dating apps or instant messengers. They suggest conversation topics, craft engaging bios, and come up with quick-witted responses. With varying degrees of success…

But no category has been more controversial than AI chatbot dating — something straight out of the 2013 film Her by Spike Jonze. In this case, a user’s romantic partner is a fully digital AI companion trained to appeal to them visually and emotionally, comfort and entertain them, and be available 24/7.

A Big Hunk o’ AI Love

Arguably, the most infamous example from the last category is Character.ai, which made headlines worldwide after a lawsuit was filed by a Florida mother back in October. Megan Garcia alleged that the app should be held accountable for her teenage son’s tragic passing. In response, Character.ai introduced new guiding principles and guardrail features on December 12, prioritizing teen safety.

Given how explosive and enigmatic this category is, my team and I decided that exploring the world of AI chatbot dating would be an equally compelling and useful undertaking.

As I delved deeper, I quickly realized that I was way in over my head. Turns out, the market is saturated with a staggering number of companies offering this service. What I needed was an expert to help me sift through them all, which I found in the form of Herman Carter, a native of Ghent, Belgium.

Herman’s overview

With a Master’s degree in AI Ethics & Society from Cambridge University, Herman has been investigating dating technologies and AI since they first emerged a few years back. Drawing on his experience running a YouTube vlog and three niche websites — AIGirlfriend, BestCharacters, and DatingTools — Herman kindly agreed to share his overview of the AI bot market as it stands today.

To begin with, a recently conducted user survey by Herman and his team has revealed the following facts:

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Most users cite loneliness or being misunderstood as the primary reason for pursuing an AI-backed relationship.

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Interestingly, opinions differ among users on the best aspect of AI chatbot dating.

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Most users interact with their AI partners on a daily or weekly basis.

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While some users enjoy NSFW content, many seem to be drawn to the emotional aspect of interacting with an AI partner who listens, responds, and provides undivided attention.

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What’s out there?

According to Herman, while numerous AI girlfriend apps are available on the market, most are actually of inferior quality. Why? Because they’re either copycats of popular apps or they have ambiguous privacy policies and sketchy content moderation practices, he explains.

Over the past two years, Herman has tested over 100 AI chatbot and girlfriend apps. We asked him to select five that best represent the current market, showcasing a balanced variety of available offerings.

Candy AI is one of the most recognizable names on the market today. Although the company has recently faced criticism for being more expensive than many other AI girlfriend apps, it continues to dominate the market for its advanced features.

The app’s newest V2 image generator is among the most powerful and accurate currently available. While many AI systems struggle with details like hands, shadows, and background, Candy AI handles these with skillful precision. Each AI character in the app is designed with a unique:

• Voice

• Background story

• Personality traits

• Imagery

This level of customization ensures that every interaction feels fresh and engaging. New characters are introduced every week.

Candy AI also excels in voice message and AI phone call features. Users report that their AI partners mimic natural pauses and even breathing, creating the impression of thoughtful responses, especially when handling more complex questions.

RPRP AI is a relative newcomer to the AI chatbot market and still has room for improvement, particularly in terms of UX. Be that as it may, the service is highly regarded among those who are into player-centric AI games.

The platform prioritizes roleplaying and chatting, offering strong memory capabilities and AI bots with unique mechanics. Users can interact with multiple characters, such as being in a hospital setting with several doctors or nurses. Despite these multilayered social scenarios, most of the communication with AI doesn’t feel chaotic or constrained.

While its image generation can be inconsistent, RPRP AI has gained a following among users interested in detailed roleplaying, specialized interactions, and NSFW chatting.

Kindroid AI is somewhat less known among first-time AI girlfriend users, because the app prioritizes product quality over extensive marketing.

The service offers hyper-realistic voice messages and advanced setup features, allowing users to customize their AI girlfriend’s personality through multiple prompt fields. These include:

• Background story

• Journal entries

• Texting style

• Likes and dislikes

This level of customization gives Kindroid stronger cognitive capabilities by comparison, making interactions feel more personal and engrossing.

The app features 3D avatars that move lips and use gestures during voice messages, enhancing the immersive experience. Additionally, Kindroid provides a generous free plan, being one of the few AI dating apps offering this option.

Nectar AI may also be considered an underdog in today’s AI girlfriend market. All the same, the company stands out for its visual capabilities and extensive features.

Although the app’s library is relatively small, users can always tweak every AI character to their liking. Unlike regular image generators that create standard content, Nectar offers close to a dozen specialized image generators; for example, one specifically for Asian characters.

In addition, the platform features a vast library of community-generated scenarios, catering to a wide range of preferences, some of them quite raunchy. Users can select from these AI-powered options and take on the roles of director, writer, and/or main character.

GirlfriendGPT is a popular AI chatbot tool for sexting, which is distinct from a straight-up AI girlfriend app. Unlike AI girlfriend solutions, where characters are created by the platform, NSFW chatbots like GirlfriendGPT feature exclusively user-generated characters. Despite this difference, the app packs advanced features, including 8K memory for extended roleplay, reply suggestions, and a talented community of users-creators.

The platform offers many high-quality AI characters, along with one of the best anime and hentai art generators on the market. Recently, the company introduced five new generators, including one for furry creatures.

The app is also valued by users for its privacy. While many other AI bot apps block accounts and send in human reviewers to combat potentially harmful content, GirlfriendGPT automates this process with AI and only proceeds with manual reviews when users grant permission.

Takeaway

Evidently, the tragic death of a Florida teenager underscores the need for new guidelines to protect minors, such as those implemented by Character.ai. Parents also have a critical role in monitoring their children’s online activities and staying vigilant. In my view, it’s about ensuring that users have the mental maturity to engage with these technologies knowingly and responsibly.

With that said, some adults clearly appreciate the option of AI dating. While male users often cite loneliness as the main reason for seeking the company of AI characters, many if not most view these interactions as supplemental rather than a replacement for real-world relationships. For them, it seems to be akin to “practice” for building confidence in meeting real partners.

These apps, therefore, provide a unique mix of emotional connection, personalized attention, and romantic/sexual satisfaction, differentiating themselves from purely explicit content like pornography.

Of course, there’s a caveat: the research referenced in this article primarily focuses on men. With that in mind, exploring how women engage with AI partners, if at all, and comparing their experiences is essential to gaining a complete understanding of the AI dating phenomenon.

Equally intriguing is how the AI chatbot landscape will evolve. I suspect we may see established players, like Match Group, expand their offerings by incorporating machine learning not just for algorithmic matching, but for features like “AI wingman” support and even legitimate “AI user” dating on their platforms. Given the rapid pace of technological evolution, some of these integrations could emerge as early as next year.