The AI glow-up struggle
Online dating is already a chaotic arena, but the plot thickens with the rise of AI. From fixing frizzy hair to swapping outfits, some guys are leaning into AI to stand out in the crowded dating pool. But for many, the vibes are off.
Marissa, a 31-year-old from Boston, says she frequently spots profiles that look digitally altered or completely fake—like a guy posing in a suit while tiling a bathroom. She told CBS News she finds these "waxy" images and obvious AI hallucinations, like missing fingers, a major turnoff.
Why the shift?
Kathryn Coduto, a Boston University assistant professor who studies dating apps, notes that men are generally more interested in using AI for their profiles than women. Because women typically receive more matches, men are under more pressure to capture attention in mere seconds. It’s a classic case of wanting to put your best face forward, but sometimes it crosses into "catfishing" territory.
The "digital stylist" era
Some are embracing the tech with the help of "digital stylists." Lana Li, a dating consultant, uses AI to help clients look more confident or friendly by adjusting facial expressions or upgrading outfits. While she maintains that the end result should still represent the person, others aren't as careful. One man, a 50-something New Yorker, saw a spike in likes after using an AI generator to create a sunset rooftop shot, only for Hinge to ban his account. He eventually deleted the photo to stay on the app.
What this means for you
Major apps like Hinge and Bumble are cracking down. They use a mix of AI tools and human moderators to sniff out inauthentic images. If you’re tempted to use AI to level up your profile, realize it might get you flagged or banned. For daters like Marissa, the risk of dishonesty just adds another layer of skepticism to an already exhausting process. Real talk: if you’re using AI, make sure you’re not out here building a persona that doesn’t exist in real life.
Why it matters
As AI gets better at mimicking reality, the line between an enhanced photo and a fake one is blurring. This technology is forcing dating platforms to police "authenticity" more strictly, while users are becoming increasingly wary of who they’re actually talking to on the other side of the screen.
