The AI revolution is here, and it’s already changing the world. AI has shaken up the labor market, supercharged stocks and shares, and flooded the internet with memes (of varying quality). But did you know it’s also rewiring the world of online dating?
Large language models (LLMs) have put the power of sophisticated chatbots into the hands of ordinary people, including ordinary scammers, leading to a massive surge in fake profiles and bots taking over dating sites. Now, online dating isn’t just about being witty or taking a great selfie; it’s also about spotting AI-generated writing or photographs to avoid being scammed every other match.
That said, the same AI technology has made it much easier and more affordable for dating apps and sites to enforce moderation policies. Indeed, some dating apps have actually harnessed AI to improve the user experience. See how Bumble uses AI to weed out spammers and scammers, for instance. In other cases, AI helps refine matchmaking or acts like a “digital wingman” by helping you improve your profile. This kind of AI can suggest which photos to share or even pick out potential matches based on your online dating history and past preferences.
But not everyone wants their online dating experience to be infiltrated by AI trickery. If you’re suspicious of the technology or just want a break from the AI revolution, we’re here to help. Here are three AI-free hookup apps.
3 hookup apps without AI features
Feeld
Billed as a “dating app for the curious” and the place “where curiosity meets connection”. Feeld allows you to find anything you’re looking for, and even some things you didn’t know to look for. Feeld also stands out from the crowd by rejecting the algorithm-driven swiping frenzy that has become the standard on so many other apps. It prefers to function like an online house party where you might strike up a convo with anyone who catches your fancy.
As of this writing, Feeld has not yet embraced AI, and if its CEO is to be believed, they don’t have any plans to, either.
Pure
Pure, the “open-minded dating app,” is designed for short-term fun, with an emphasis on anonymity and “turn-ons” and kinks, which are prominently displayed. It’s also bucked the carousel-style matchmaking trend made popular by Tinder.
There are two main ways to connect with potential matches: You’ll either be shown one profile at a time, forcing you to properly assess each person for compatibility, or you can opt for the “Devil’s Bones” gamble, which drops you into an anonymous chat with a total stranger, adding an extra layer of excitement.
If you’re sick of the indirect approach of most dating apps and want to avoid AI’s influence in the algorithms, Pure is a great, straightforward alternative.
AdultFriendFinder
If you’re really anti-AI, you’re probably safest sticking with AdultFriendFinder, not because it has any ethical or philosophical objections to artificial intelligence, but because its site architecture has hardly changed in the 25+ years since its founding.
Even better, AFF doesn’t have an algorithm-based matchmaking system. Instead, it allows you to search for people based on criteria like their location, gender, age, or favorite kinks, or create online communities and discussion boards where you can meet like-minded people and start conversations organically. The only thing to note is that, while the site doesn’t use AI, there are plenty of AI bots floating around. But that shouldn’t matter — as long as you know how to navigate and avoid them.
If you don’t like the idea of artificial intelligence playing a role in your hookups, the above three apps and sites are a great way to resist the technological tide.
