In the relatively short time they’ve been around, online dating apps have transformed how we hook up, date and fall in love.

These apps have long been characterised by “swipe logic”: users are shown profiles of others and must swipe left or right to decide whether they like them or not.

When Match Group first introduced this feature through Tinder in 2012, it fundamentally changed the dating scene.

Now, another transformation may be on the horizon, as Bumble has announced plans to shift to AI-powered online dating and retire the swipe. The move raises concerns about the future of intimacy and dating.

A Bee to find you love

Chief executive Whitney Wolfe Herd recently announced that, at some point later this year, Bumble will be introducing an AI powered dating assistant named “Bee” which is expected to replace the swipe format.

Bee will first chat to users to “get to know them”, before suggesting potential matches, and thoughtful date ideas.

Bumble is the first mainstream dating app to overhaul its design to centre AI. But its not the first app to use it.

Various dating apps have rolled out AI features over the past few years. Hinge, for instance, has incorporated generative AI tools to help users with conversation starters, and to give them feedback on their profiles,

Bumble itself introduced an AI detective feature in 2024 to help boost user safety by........

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