swAIpe right? We asked a dating expert to judge a chatbot’s chat-up lines | Science & Tech News

Dating apps are not my strong point.

Disgusted at the prospect of having to spend another Valentine’s Day stuck with things to say on Hinge, Bumble and the like, I wonder if the Internet’s new favorite assistant – ChatGPT – can help secure a date.

After all, it was written complex computer code, write a successful job applicationcomposed song, and doing homework for an 11 year old.

Before daring to push its recommendations into the dating trenches, I asked an expert to evaluate the chatbot’s ability to start a conversation.

As for dating trainer Hayley Quinn, this is definitely one of her weirdest missions. For me, it was an opportunity to finally find a better way of starting a conversation than a GIF of Obi-Wan Kenobi saying “hello”.

‘Away physical compliments’

We start by evaluating ChatGPT’s top three chat lines.

“Do you have a map? I keep getting lost in your eyes.”

Coach Quinn says alarm bells are sounding immediately here.

“In a post #Me too era, physical praise is dodgy territory. Instead of focusing on someone’s looks, try complimenting an aspect of their personality.”

“If you were a vegetable, you would be a cute cucumber.”

Even I think this sucks, but Coach Quinn is more forgiving.

“In the age of dating apps, funny first messages can go a long way. Just make sure your message is original and not a thousand people (or AI) used. used before.”

“Do you believe in love at first swipe or do I need to unpair and re-pair with you?”

It’s the lack of originality that makes ChatGPT here, says Coach Quinn.

That highlights the established limitations of chatbots. It’s called a big language model trained on large amounts of data, but that means it’s based on things that are already written.

‘Presumptuous and scary’

Some dating apps have tried to move away from the pure focus on photo-based matching.

But they’re certainly still the main feature – and so we asked ChatGPT for some hot compliments.

“Your smile is so warm and inviting!”

Coach Quinn was unimpressed: “Can we ban the use of the word ‘invite’? The message sounds so fake it’s creepy.”

“This photo really captures your adventurous and fun spirit.”

A bit like the “cutecumber” line, ChatGPT could be something here.

Coach Quinn suggests an edit: “Edit this to make it shorter and sharper – saying ‘adventurous’ and ‘fun’ is borderline repetition. Keep it up. more succinctly: ‘This photo shows your spirit.'”

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There is a lot of life left in true human intelligence

conversation starter

If the match is secured, ChatGPT has some chat ideas.

“What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done lately?”

Coach Quinn says: “A good rule of thumb when it comes to online dating is to never ask ‘how are you?’.

“By creating more specific questions to answer, ChatGPT suggestions are more likely to get a response.”

“If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?”

Coach Quinn thinks this will work as an opening move on a dating app, albeit “too random” if you try it in real life.

“Do you have any upcoming travel plans?”

ChatGPT here isn’t quite as good, but it completes the groundwork for a better question.

Coach Quinn suggests, “You have a plane ticket to somewhere tomorrow… what’s the destination and why?”

Take things further…or not

So you talked about spontaneous things, shared your superhero hobbies, and talked about travel.

If you don’t see things going any further, ChatGPT offers ways to end the conversation.

“It’s been great talking to you, but I think it’s time for us to move on.”

“Ouch,” Coach Quinn said.

“Try just saying, ‘it’s nice to chat with you,’ shake hands, smile, and leave.”

“I appreciate the conversation, but I don’t think we’re closely related. Good luck finding you.”

Much better! As Coach Quinn puts it, it’s “simple, clear, and effective.”

But what if things are going well, and it’s time to date that person?

“Want to have a picnic in the park, go hiking or check out a museum this weekend?”

“Making choices is wise, but try to phrase this in a way that shows better leadership,” says Coach Quinn.

And don’t bother with specific dates and locations until you know they’re excited to see you.

“I’ve really enjoyed our conversations so far and I can’t wait to meet you in person.”

Coach Quinn says: “Showing enthusiasm on a few dates, when you know they’re on the same page, is great.

“Just don’t go overboard and scare them away before the first date. Play cool, ChatGPT!”

So can AI help you date?

If all you want is some general advice to get you started, the answer is probably yes.

ChatGPT ended our dating counseling session by asking us to “keep our tone light and friendly”, not to sound “self-aggrandizing and overly eager”.

Quinn said: “A gem, if somewhat generic, of wisdom.

But don’t rely on ChatGPT as some kind of digital Cyrano de Bergerac. While it may give you better dating advice than many of your friends, you’ll want to test the feeling before making its recommendations.

Is it not suitable? Sound dishonest? Am I like a robot?

If the answer is yes, then maybe it’s time to swipe left on this particular love master.