Hinge CEO: Gen Z Relies on AI to Overcome Confidence Barriers in Online Dating

According to Jackie Jantos, the chief executive of Hinge, young singles in their twenties are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to initiate contact on dating platforms. Jantos attributes this trend to a lack of self-assurance among Generation Z, a demographic that she claims has significantly fewer opportunities for face-to-face socialization compared to previous generations.

Speaking to the BBC, Jantos emphasized that while Gen Z daters are genuinely seeking romance, they often feel too intimidated to take the first step. In response, she defended Hinge’s recent integration of AI tools, which generate conversation starters and profile feedback. Jantos clarified that these features are not intended to write messages on behalf of users, but rather to assist them in authentically expressing their personalities.

This strategic push comes as Hinge continues to expand its user base in the UK, despite warnings from relationship experts about "dating app fatigue" and a potential shift back toward organic, in-person meetings. Established in 2012 and owned by Match Group—the same parent company behind Tinder and Match.com—Hinge has built its reputation on the slogan "designed to be deleted." Jantos dismissed criticisms that this is merely a marketing gimmick, asserting that the platform’s core mission is to facilitate serious, long-term relationships rather than keep users engaged indefinitely.

Market data underscores this dynamic. While Tinder remains the most visited dating service, its dominance has waned. According to Ipsos iris data, Tinder’s audience shrank from 1.9 million to 1.5 million over the past year, ending May 2025. In contrast, Hinge’s user base grew from 1.4 million to 1.5 million during the same period. Bumble and Grindr trail behind Hinge in terms of usage.

In an interview with the BBC’s Big Boss podcast, Jantos highlighted the profound social changes affecting Gen Z, who now constitute more than half of Hinge’s monthly active users. She noted that this group spends approximately 1,000 fewer hours per year interacting in person with others than their counterparts did two decades ago. This equates to over two hours daily that are likely spent immersed in digital experiences on their phones. Jantos described this isolation as a "lonely experience" that deprives individuals of the nuances of human presence.

The 47-year-old executive pointed out that nearly half of young people in the UK report feeling lonely "often or always." She linked this to the pandemic, which disrupted the formative years of social development for many young adults. "Those years when you're sort of experimenting with how you show up in person with another person, how you flirt, how you think about intimacy, that was interrupted for many people," she explained.

Dr. Carolina Bandinelli, an associate professor at the University of Warwick specializing in dating and communication, agrees that the pandemic reshaped the landscape for Gen Z. She observed a prevailing sentiment that apps have become the sole avenue for meeting people. However, Bandinelli believes the industry has moved past its initial hype. She argued that while apps were marketed as providing access to an endless pool of strangers and shielding users from rejection, the reality is different. "You're not really choosing, you're more guessing," she said, noting that the absence of social cues makes digital courtship particularly challenging.

Hinge’s AI capabilities include profile review suggestions and generated prompts to break the ice. Jantos rejects the notion that these tools encourage users to outsource their dating lives to machines. Instead, she maintains they are designed to empower users and enhance confidence.

Siobhan Copland, founder of the matchmaking service Cupid in the City, which caters to young professionals, also witnesses the effects of dating app burnout among her clients. She notes that constant information overload has shifted the focus toward quality over quantity. Copland highlighted a cultural shift in Gen Z’s social habits: unlike previous generations, they are less drawn to drinking culture. "They'd be more likely at the gym on a Friday night than at the bar," she said, illustrating the changing dynamics of how young people choose to spend their leisure time.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-04 23:05:54 UTC