Hinge CEO Justin McLeod has voiced strong opposition to Mark Zuckerberg's vision of using artificial intelligence (AI) to address the loneliness epidemic among young people. McLeod, who founded Hinge in 2011, expressed his views during a recent interview on the "Decoder" podcast, hosted by Nilay Patel. McLeod is skeptical about the role of AI in fostering meaningful relationships, particularly in the context of dating. He argues that true human connections involve vulnerability, shared experiences, and mutual support—elements that AI cannot genuinely replicate. While an AI friend might offer timely responses and seemingly empathetic interactions, McLeod believes these interactions are superficial and can even be harmful over time. In contrast, Zuckerberg recently suggested that "the average person has demand for meaningfully more" friends and implied that AI could help fill this gap. Meta launched an AI app in April that included AI assistant tools and a feature for creators to share AI-generated images. However, this app faced criticism and was subsequently shut down. Zuckerberg acknowledged that AI is still in its early stages and may not replace real-life connections, but he remains optimistic about its potential to alleviate loneliness. McLeod, however, labels the notion that AI can solve loneliness as "playing with fire." He contends that the proliferation of screens and the internet already contributes to mental health issues and feelings of isolation. Introducing AI friends, he argues, could further exacerbate these problems by displacing genuine human connections. Despite his reservations, McLeod sees practical applications for AI within Hinge's platform. He envisions AI-powered matchmaking services that could enhance the user experience by creating more personalized and compatible match lists. Another use case is an AI dating coach that provides users with guidance on preparing for dates and optimizing their dating profiles. Hinge has already implemented a trained model to offer feedback on users' profile answers and photo selections, helping them present themselves more effectively. McLeod's critique highlights a broader debate in the tech industry about the ethical and psychological implications of AI in social interactions. Industry insiders agree that while AI can offer valuable assistance in various domains, it falls short in replacing authentic human bonding. Hinge, a dating app known for its focus on meaningful connections, is steering clear of AI-driven virtual relationships and instead leveraging AI to enhance the quality of user interactions and match-making processes. Meta's approach, on the other hand, continues to push the boundaries of social AI, albeit with mixed results. This stark difference in perspective reflects the ongoing tension between utilizing AI to augment human interaction and the fear that it might erode the very relationships it aims to improve. While Meta invests heavily in AI to address social needs, Hinge prioritizes creating environments where genuine human connections can flourish.