‘AI love coach’: millions download apps to help with relationship, master sweet-talking art

Artificial intelligence love coach apps provide relationship scenarios minus real-life dangers Photo: Shutterstock

• Apps offer practice scenarios minus danger of real-life situations, most popular one secures 3.5 million downloads amid global surge for advice

Rapidly rising numbers of romance-seeking people across China and worldwide are making use of artificial intelligence (AI) love coaches as they struggle in the dating game.

According to a 2023 survey of just over 2,000 single young people, carried out by the China Youth Daily Social Survey Center, the three major dating difficulties young people face are having a fixed social circle, being indoors type, and a lack of social skills.

AI love coaches provide advice ranging from how to reply to messages to how to converse smoothly with dates.

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A notable example is RIZZ.AI, which leads the field with 3.5 million downloads.

The Post takes a deep dive into the subject.

What you get

RIZZ.AI provides a simulated dating environment where users can practise their communication skills and build confidence minus the real-life risks and awkwardness.

Users can choose various dating scenarios on the app, as well as situations in different languages.

In a "trying food you don't like" scenario you might find yourself at a vegan restaurant with a date named Kristin.

The app coaches you on how to engage effectively with Kristin, aiming to make a positive impression on her despite your differing food preferences.

Also, RIZZ.AI allows users to upload screenshots of their conversations to get suggestions for witty comebacks, offering real-time coaching on flirting and communication.

Priced at US$7 per week, RIZZ.AI's user base has grown by 30 per cent each quarter.

Chinese market

Similar apps have also surged in popularity in China.

Hong Hong Simulator creates various scenarios where users navigate interactions aimed at appeasing and comforting an angry girlfriend.

In one, "you hung up on me", a user who accidentally hangs up on his girlfriend while asleep has the opportunity to make amends.

The user can say: "I'll set a special ringtone for your number so I won't mistake it again."

The system then awards a 100 per cent forgiveness rating, indicating that the user's response was effective.

The easy-to-use features have sparked lively discussions on mainland social media.

One online observer said: "It is very interesting to know that a captivating soul costs only US$28 a month."

While another jokingly asked: "Can someone ask the AI how to reply when a girl says, 'Uh huh '?"

However, some people have raised concerns: "Face-to-face communication can reveal everything."

Another person asked: "What if the person you're talking to is also using AI?"

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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