AI has entered the chat

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing every aspect of modern life, and dating is no exception.

The role AI plays in our romantic encounters is evolving at a rapid pace. While dating apps have been part of the picture for some time, we’re now seeing AI play a much bigger part in every stage of our relationships, from helping to craft those witty first interactions to resolving arguments and even helping to process breakups.  

ANU experts say while AI has the potential to play a positive, supporting role in our relationships, sinister uses like “chatfishing” – using AI to deceive others online – have also been popping up more frequently.

So, they are digging a little deeper to find out how people are using AI in their personal lives, and why.

Researchers Dr Anne Ozdowska, Karla Kelly, and Michelle Adiwangsa are keen to hear from people with the whole spectrum of experiences, including those who are firmly against using AI in their personal lives, and those who haven’t done so before but would be open to it in the future.

“So far, we’ve found there are different factors that explain why people are turning to AI and they’re doing it for different reasons. We’re seeing it used as a therapist and a source of communication advice and emotional support, and that’s just the beginning,” Ozdowska says.

“We’re seeing a shift towards people turning to AI for advice, as opposed to other humans. Questions you might have previously asked your friends over dinner and drinks, now you can just ask AI.

“For example, we’ve had someone who said they put their text exchange into AI to see if the person they were chatting to was flirting with them, because they couldn’t tell.”

The project team say there is a gap in the research – it’s not something that’s been looked at from an academic point of view until now.

“If we better understand how people are using it, we can look at some of the social, ethical, and emotional implications of those uses,” Ozdowska says.

“It’s the first step in maybe developing some better standards and guardrails,” adds PhD candidate Michelle Adiwangsa.

The early data indicates some clear trends.

People who are opposed to mixing AI and dating are worried it is “inauthentic” or “dishonest” and doesn’t seem genuine enough.

Those who have used it in their romantic lives have used it to suggest topics to keep the conversation going or to craft more thoughtful messages when they’re finding it hard to put something into words. Others report using AI to resolve misunderstandings more calmly, or to make sure they’re using the right tone.

“There have been some portrayals of AI in the pop culture that have raised some good questions – like the 2023 movie Robots,” PhD candidate Karla Kelly says.

“But with AI becoming more and more pervasive, we want to hear directly from people who are using AI, rather than relying on the hype that often appears in the media.”

If you have thoughts of your own, the survey is currently available online and open to participants.