Dating apps are betting billions on artificial intelligence to revive waning user interest and reverse years of declining engagement. Once defined by endless swiping and superficial matches, the industry is now pivoting to AI-driven personalization, promising more meaningful connections and fewer mindless scrolls. The big players—Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr—are investing heavily in AI, aiming to transform the dating experience from a game of chance into a curated, intelligent process. While machine learning has long underpinned match algorithms, the new wave of generative AI is going further, offering features like AI-generated profile content, smart match recommendations, and even AI-powered chat assistants. Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff called the shift a "platform shift," noting that the dating space hasn’t seen a major innovation in years. The company’s stock has dropped over 75% in five years, and user conversion to paid plans has declined. Bumble’s share price is down more than 50% this year, and the app lost 18% of its paying users last quarter. Analysts point to "swipe fatigue" and a growing sense that the current model no longer works. Tinder is testing a feature called Chemistry, which uses AI to deliver a daily selection of matches based on a user’s photos, answers to personality prompts, and values—shifting focus from looks to compatibility. The goal is to reduce the number of swipes and increase the quality of connections. Tinder’s VP of product Hilary Paine said the feature is already performing well with Gen Z, the app’s core demographic. Bumble and Hinge are also rolling out AI tools. Bumble plans to launch an AI-powered matchmaking system next year, while Hinge is refining its algorithm to better predict long-term compatibility. Grindr, traditionally a platform for casual encounters, has introduced AI-driven recommendations, including a "For You" feed and an "A-List" feature that highlights users with whom a person has already chatted. Still, skepticism remains. Longtime Grindr user Paul Lazo said the app’s AI recommendations are off the mark, often showing young, fit men when he’s looking for larger, bearish types. A Grindr spokesperson acknowledged the "For You" feature still relies on older machine learning models and is being updated. Meanwhile, a new generation of AI-first dating startups is emerging, hoping to capitalize on the industry’s struggles. Apps like Sitch, Known, Ditto, and Amata are using AI to create curated match experiences. Sitch, for example, offers just three AI-curated matches per week, based on a real-life matchmaker’s expertise, and charges $90 for the service. Amata uses an AI matchmaker to guide users through conversations and preferences. Even Facebook is getting in on the action, introducing an AI dating assistant that scans a user’s network to find ideal matches based on specific criteria—like “someone I could bring home to my parents” or “a Brooklyn tech bro who likes EDM.” The feature, developed by product manager Neha Kumar, is part of a broader push to reposition social media as a dating platform. While the potential is high, success hinges on user trust and network effects. As venture capitalist Rick Heitzmann noted, AI can “agentify” the matchmaker role, but the best AI can’t replace the need for a large, active user base. The real test will be whether these new tools can deliver on the promise of real connection—turning the endless scroll into something more meaningful.