• Lunch Actually Group’s “The singles dating survey” finds singles broadly accept AI for efficiency, safety and scale.
• Respondents resist AI making emotional judgements or deciding relationships, signalling clear limits for platforms.
• Dating apps that ignore these preferences risk losing user trust and facing backlash; transparency and opt‑in controls matter.
• Experts say a hybrid approach — automation for safety, humans for feelings — is the likely path forward.

Survey shows clear line between utility and emotion

The singles dating survey released by Lunch Actually Group finds many singles are comfortable with automation when it helps make dating safer, faster and more scalable. However, the same group draws a firm boundary: users do not want machines deciding emotional matters or who they should date.

That distinction matters because it defines where AI can add value — and where it becomes a liability. Automation that handles tasks such as profile moderation, safety checks, spam filtering or basic sorting can improve user experience and platform survival. But when algorithms begin to make emotional judgements or influence relationship decisions, singles push back.

Why singles trust automation — up to a point

Survey respondents view AI as a tool for efficiency and safety. Automation can reduce harassment, flag fake profiles, and help moderate content at scale — functions that directly benefit users. This acceptance is social proof that AI has practical uses on dating platforms.

Yet the same people who welcome these benefits express discomfort at handing over feelings to a machine. The survey’s findings suggest trust is conditional: users want AI to assist, not replace, human judgment in matters of attraction, commitment and emotional compatibility.

What this means for dating apps

Dating platforms should treat the survey as a warning. Ignoring user sentiment risks erosion of trust and potential backlash. Practical steps for platforms include:

  • Clear transparency: Explain what AI does, what it doesn’t do, and how decisions are made.
  • Opt‑in controls: Let users enable or disable features that affect recommendations or emotional insights.
  • Human oversight: Maintain real people in the loop for sensitive decisions and appeals.
  • Focus on safety and efficiency first: Prioritize automation where it clearly reduces harm or friction.

These measures can help platforms capture the advantages of AI while avoiding the biggest user fears.

Industry reaction and the path forward

The survey signals an opportunity for apps that adopt a hybrid model: smart automation for background tasks and human-led handling for emotional, nuanced choices. Platforms that advertise transparent AI features and give users control may win trust and market share — while those that overreach risk alienating the very people they serve.

In short, the Lunch Actually Group’s research shows singles are pragmatic about AI but protective of their emotional lives. For dating platforms, the lesson is straightforward: use AI to help people, not to decide who they should love.

Image Referance: https://www.marketing-interactive.com/ai-reshapes-dating-platforms-but-singles-set-clear-limits-on-emotional-automation