Artificial intelligence did not suddenly arrive in our love lives with ChatGPT. Dating apps have used algorithms and machine learning for years to decide who appears in our feeds, recommend potential matches and shape the interactions that follow.

What has changed is the sophistication of the technology and how much of the process we are increasingly willing to hand over to it.

Tinder provides a fascinating example. Its latest AI-powered personalisation system, Chemistry, was initially developed in Australia and New Zealand and is now being expanded internationally. Rather than relying only on swiping behaviour, Chemistry uses questions and optional access to information from a user’s camera roll to develop a picture of their personality, interests and lifestyle, then uses that information to curate recommendations.

There is nothing inherently sinister about this. In many respects, it is exactly what we have always asked technology to do: Reduce uncertainty. But dating is fundamentally an exercise in uncertainty, and this is where things become interesting.

Australian data suggests our relationship with AI is already moving well beyond convenience. YouGov research conducted among a nationally representative sample of Australians in 2025 found 28 per cent had opened up or been emotionally vulnerable with an AI chatbot at least once.

By 2026, the relationship was becoming more personal. Another nationally representative YouGov study found 15 per cent of Australian adults had shared personal thoughts or feelings with........

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