Can AI help you find a date? We tested ChatGPT with Columbus locals
Word on the street is that dating is hard, and it’s tough out there on those single streets. So… why don’t we let the robots play matchmaker.
At least that’s what folks said when I asked about dating in my very scientific experiment conducted during my regular Tuesday night trivia at The Bottom, my all-time favorite, upscale divebar.
In said experiment, I posed the question: What if we used artificial intelligence to help the singles’ swipe game?
Over a beer (or two) and in between rounds of trivia, I chatted with all kinds of folks, ranging in age, gender, marital status, and level of interest in AI. Everybody was eager to talk to me, but skeptical about getting artificial intelligence involved in their love life.
It’s not as outlandish as it sounds. The University of New South Wales at Sydney, reports that “62% of singles would swipe right on an AI-generated dating profile” and “43% of respondents [to the survey] said the AI-generated profiles looked real.”
If it’s good enough for Australian singles, then why not test it out right here in Columbus?
The (very scientific) methodology
To make my research as thorough as possible, I set a few different prompts for ChapGPT, the AI platform I used for most of the data collection and approached the other patrons in the bar.
I surveyed:
An older, single gentleman and asked him to describe himself
A 50-something, single man and asked him to describe his perfect woman
The pretty bartender with a longtime boyfriend, and got her to describe her boyfriend’s best traits
A group of 30-something men, most who were in a steady relationship, to collectively devise the perfect woman.
The fun-loving trivia host/singer who is casually dating but not opposed to something serious.
I loaded the collected info into the AI platform, one data-set at a time, to see if AI could write a becoming and swipeable profile for a real person and if the AI could create a profile our patrons would want to date.
The results may surprise you.
Dater: Nikki, the Bartender
I started with Nikki since she was making my drink, and asked her to tell me about a man she would definitely swipe yes on.
Her criteria:
Breathing
Honest
Health-conscious
An intellectual
37 - 50 in age
Doesn’t want children
Tall
“Mildly ethnic”
She wound up, whether on purpose or not, describing her current boyfriend, Storm.
Eerily, her AI-generated match was a dead-ringer for Storm.
Match: Meet Arun, 43, Seeking women
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The ChatGPT profile (spelling mistakes were the AI, not me):
Profile Name: Arun | 43 | 6’3” | NYC
About Me:
Yes, I’m honest. Yes, I’m breathing. That’s the foundation. The rest? Think tall (6’3”), slightly mysterious (mixed heritage), and unapologetically thoughtful. I’m health-conscious without preaching about it—green smoothies and gym, sure, but also pizza nights with a documentary or two. I live for good conversation, the smell of old books, and long walks that somehow turn philosophical.
Looking For:
A woman who values honesty, lives with intention, and isn’t looking for a co-parent. I’m not here to waste time or pretend. I’m here because life’s better when shared—ideally with someone who appreciates intellect over flash and believes chemistry starts in the mind.
No kids. No games. Just real connection.
Dater: David, the good sport
David, a 50 something single man, was a good sport. After chatting with me and with ChatGPT listening, we asked the AI to write a profile for him. He said the final result was “pretty spot on.”
Profile Name: David | 57 | Steady & Curious
About Me:
I’ve built a full life—career I love, friends I trust, passport with a few stamps—but there’s room for one more chapter. I’m sharp-minded, grounded, and a believer in mutual effort. I’ll meet you halfway, every time—whether we’re navigating a disagreement or planning a weekend away. I admire women who work (in any sense of the word), think deeply, and express clearly.
Looking For:
You’re natural in spirit and style, with dark hair and a kind laugh. You’ve lived enough to know what you want and know that love isn’t about rescuing—it’s about showing up. You can have children, but they’re grown and on their own path. I’m here to build something mature, joyful, and real—with someone who communicates, contributes, and values connection over convenience.
Let’s keep it honest, equal, and interesting.
Based on these characteristics, the app created Beth, who apparently didn’t edit her profile very well. The mistakes are the AI, not me.
Dater: Barry, the skeptic
Barry, admittedly a little more seasoned in the dating game, confessed he was recently out of a relationship with a younger woman and was doubtful AI could do a good job.
Sadly he was right, although some of his displeasure was due to his own omissions: he never mentioned he wanted a blonde, he didn’t seem all that thrilled with Sarah, his AI-generated match. In fact, Sarah looked a lot like David’s match, Beth.
His criteria:
Pretty
All around fun
Natural with no filters
Honest
“Not big, but not skinny”
Middle aged
Okay with grown children
Down to earth
Not fake
Match: Sarah | 48 | Filter-Free & Fun
About Me:
What you see is what you get—and that’s kind of the point. I’m pretty in the real way, not the airbrushed kind. I laugh a lot, love a good cookout or road trip, and I’m at my best when life’s a little messy and real. I’m not skinny, not big—just me. I’ve raised my kids, found my balance, and now I’m here looking for something honest.
Looking For:
A man who’s grounded, has a sense of humor, and knows who he is. I don’t do fake games, or drama. I want someone who can hold a conversation, handle a spontaneous adventure, and appreciate a woman who’s fun, natural, and down-to-earth.
Let’s skip the filters and just be real.
Dater: April the free-sprit, trivia host, singer and casual dater
April is generally an enthusiastic person, and her list reflects it. She had a lot of boxes to check.
Her criteria:
Funny
Secure
Mobile
Athletic, but “not a gym rat,” “no jocks”
Lanky
“Maybe got picked on in school but is not a ‘beta’”
Dark skin
No children
Not married
Adventurous “but not crazy with it”
No extremists “in any context”
Open minded
Evolved
Knows who they are
It’s worth mentioning that here is where the free version of ChatGPT stopped giving me free images, so I had to hop over to Canva.
April said she would definitely date Marcus, but alas, she says he’s the exact opposite of her current beau which she is content to see where it goes.
Match: Marcus | 44 | Slightly Twisted & Always Real
About Me:
I’m tall, lean, and definitely still wondering how I survived middle school with a name like Marcus and legs like stilts. These days, I’m secure in who I am—no kids, never married, mobile enough to pack up for a weekend or a month (ask me about Lisbon). I’ve got a sharp sense of humor and a young mind, but I don’t play games. Think evolved, not enlightened. I stay active—hikes, bikes, random dance battles—but I’m not here for protein shakes or flexing in mirrors.
Looking For:
Someone who’s comfortable in their own skin and doesn’t take life—or themselves—too seriously. You don’t have to climb mountains, just don’t be stuck in one mindset. No drama, no cults (fitness or political), no fake anything. If you’re adventurous in spirit, cool with honesty, and can laugh at life (and at me), we’ll probably vibe.
Loves deep convos, dark humor, and knowing when to go home. Let’s be real, weird, and wildly ourselves.
Dater(s): Our 30-something men who gave a collaboration on the kind of woman they’d swipe yes for
In my last interview of the night, I approached the trivia winners, a group of 30-something professionals who mostly were involved in long-term relationships.
Their criteria included the standard traits, smart, pretty, funny, etc. But they also had a few more specifics.
Athletic
Not blond
Spontaneous
Independent
“Curvy” build
Buoyant
Adventurous
“No excessive anything”
Strangely enough, just like with Nikki the bartender, the result produced an image that was very familiar to one of the men surveyed. Tim showed me a picture of his current girlfriend and the resemblance to “Adventure Vibes” below was uncanny.
Match: Username: AdventureVibes
Headline: Fit, Fearless, and Full of Life
About Me:
Hi there! I’m a vibrant, athletic woman with a passion for living life to the fullest. When I’m not crushing it in my career, you can find me trying out new outdoor activities, laughing with friends, or planning my next spontaneous adventure. I love staying active, whether that’s hiking, biking, or just dancing through the city.
I’m smart, funny, and always up for a challenge. My style is effortless and natural—I rock my beautiful, curly hair and celebrate my curvy figure just the way it is. No fuss, no drama, just me being me.
I’m looking for someone who shares my zest for life, values independence, and isn’t afraid to be a little quirky. If you’re a fellow adventurer with a great sense of humor and a heart of gold, let’s connect!
Interests: hiking, cooking, live music and comedy shows, traveling, and reading and learning new things
Swiper beware
Artificial intelligence has broken through in every aspect of modern life, so it stands to reason that singles could capitalize on its availability. There are concerns, however, about the damage it’s doing to an already problematic and sometimes inauthentic process.
Luke Brunning from the Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships at the University of Leeds cautions, “We should at least ask questions as a society about whether having tools writing things for us, changing our bios, editing our photos, whether that’s actually facilitating authentic intimacy.”
The UNSW study warns the app users, “The person you’re talking to may not always be who they say they are.” So, daters should, “make sure you stay safe and consider the fact that a person may be exaggerating (or completely fabricating) the truth.”
What do you think? Are you on a dating app? Have you seen the AI-generated profiles? Would you use the technology for this reason? Are you already using it? Let me know!
Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM.
