It’s part of Tinder’s broader push to re-engage Gen Z daters, who are 50% of its user base
Tinder is testing “The Game Game,” which lets users flirt with AI chatbots in rom-com-style scenarios and build their confidence in getting real-life dates.
The free, voice-based feature—powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o—challenges players to win a virtual date by impressing the chatbot. It is currently available to iOS users in the US and limits interactions to five short plays per day.
It’s part of Tinder’s broader push to re-engage Gen Z daters, who are 50% of its user base, and reverse declining subscriber numbers. The company had previously warned investors that revenue won’t return to growth until 2027.
Declining trend
Dating apps have seen a decline in new users since the easing of COVID-19 lockdowns. It has brought back in-person dating events.
Speed dating events saw a 63% surge in the first few months of last year compared to the same period in 2022, according to ticketing platform Eventbrite.
AI-powered flirting isn’t new, with apps like Replika’s Blush, Teaser, and Rizz already in the space. Tinder insists the new game is about enhancing authenticity, not replacing real human connections.
Tinder parent Match, which also owns Hinge, struck a deal with OpenAI last year for over 1,000 ChatGPT enterprise licenses. The dating apps already use AI for profile suggestions and fake profile detection.
Whether Tinder’s AI game sticks around long-term depends on user feedback and the financial feasibility of running OpenAI’s real-time speech-to-speech model.