AI & Dating Technology10 min read

AI Dating Fatigue:
How Singles Are Fighting Back Against Algorithm Burnout

New research reveals that while 26% of singles now use AI for dating, growing frustration with algorithms is reshaping the entire industry. From "rizz assistants" to AI burnout, here's what the data really shows.

Based on 2024-2025 research
Singles in America Report
Industry Analysis

The dating app industry is at a crossroads. After years of explosive growth, recent data suggests that singles are increasingly frustrated with traditional swipe-based dating, leading to what researchers are calling "dating app burnout." Yet paradoxically, AI adoption in dating is surging. What's really happening?

Key Finding: The AI Dating Paradox

According to the Singles in America report by Match and The Kinsey Institute released in June 2025, "close to one in four single U.S. adults are using AI in their dating lives," with 26% incorporating AI into their dating experiences.

Yet simultaneously, research by Sharabi, Von Feldt, and Ha (2024) shows growing "dating app burnout" among singles, with falling revenue suggesting people are actively seeking alternatives.

The Rise of Dating App Burnout

The concept of "dating app burnout" isn't just anecdotal—it's now the subject of serious academic research. In their 2024 paper "Burnt out and still single: Susceptibility to dating app burnout over time" published in New Media & Society, researchers documented how the novelty of dating apps has given way to frustration and exhaustion.

"In recent years, the novelty of dating apps has given way to burnout and frustration. Falling revenue suggests that people are looking for alternatives, leading to speculation that dating apps may have reached their peak. The industry, it would seem, is in need of a refresh: Enter AI."

This burnout manifests in several ways:

  • Choice overload: The paradox of too many options leading to decision paralysis
  • Superficial interactions: Swipe mechanics promoting appearance-based judgments over meaningful connections
  • Ghosting culture: The ease of disappearing without explanation creating emotional exhaustion
  • Gamification fatigue: The slot-machine-like mechanics becoming tiresome rather than engaging

How AI is Changing the Game

Despite—or perhaps because of—this burnout, AI is rapidly being integrated into the dating experience. A July 2025 Washington Post investigation revealed that "dating apps say AI can help people who are too busy, shy or abrasive to win dates."

Current AI applications in dating include:

"Rizz Assistants"

AI-powered conversation helpers that suggest witty responses and opening lines, named after Gen Z slang for charisma

Profile Optimization

Machine learning algorithms that analyze successful profiles to suggest improvements to photos and bios

Smart Matching

Advanced algorithms that go beyond simple preferences to predict compatibility based on communication patterns

AI Companions

Chatbots like Replika that users are forming emotional connections with, blurring lines between human and AI relationships

The Double-Edged Sword

Research presented at the 2024 Conference of the International Association for Relationship Research in Boston revealed fascinating insights. The paper "'Hey Siri, ask them out': Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in date request messaging" by Roaché, Sharabi, Hicks, and Hurley found that AI assistance can both help and hinder dating success.

However, the Washington Post investigation also found that "a growing number of singles are finding that AI makes dating more complicated." Key concerns include:

  • Authenticity questions: When does AI assistance cross the line into deception?
  • Emotional confusion: As seen in the Pan and Mou (2024) study on Replika users, relationships with AI are becoming "fluid, spanning interactions from contractive practices to dialogic transformation"
  • Privacy concerns: AI systems analyzing intimate conversations raise data security questions

What Singles Really Want

Our own platform, Mosaic's chat analysis tools, offers a different approach. Rather than replacing human connection with AI, we use technology to help people understand their existing relationships better. By analyzing communication patterns in real conversations, we provide insights that can lead to more meaningful connections.

This aligns with what research suggests singles actually want:

The Path Forward

  1. Depth over volume: Quality connections rather than endless swiping
  2. Authentic communication: Real conversations enhanced, not replaced, by technology
  3. Privacy-first design: Control over personal data and how it's used
  4. Meaningful insights: Understanding relationship patterns to build better connections

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Dating

As we move through 2025, the dating technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly. The rise of AI represents both an opportunity and a challenge for the industry. While 26% adoption shows clear interest, the concurrent rise in burnout suggests that simply adding AI to existing models isn't enough.

The future likely lies in more nuanced applications of AI that enhance rather than replace human connection. Tools like those based on relationship science and communication pattern analysis offer a glimpse of this future—where technology serves as a bridge to better understanding, not a replacement for genuine connection.

"AI raises concerns about deception and misrepresentation that will force dating apps to innovate, potentially leading to significant changes in how these platforms operate."— Industry Analysis, 2025

Experience a Different Approach

Tired of superficial swipes and AI-generated pickup lines? Discover how understanding your communication patterns can lead to more meaningful connections.

Try Mosaic's Chat Analysis

References

  1. Singles in America Report. Match & The Kinsey Institute. June 2025.
  2. Sharabi, L. L., Von Feldt, C., & Ha, T. (2024). Burnt out and still single: Susceptibility to dating app burnout over time. New Media & Society.
  3. Pan, N., & Mou, Y. (2024). Constructing the meaning of human–AI romantic relationships from the perspectives of users dating the social chatbot Replika. Personal Relationships.
  4. Roaché, D., Sharabi, L., Hicks, J., & Hurley, C. (2024). 'Hey Siri, ask them out': Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in date request messaging. Conference of the International Association for Relationship Research, Boston, MA.
  5. "How AI is impacting online dating and apps." The Washington Post. July 3, 2025.