Exclusive: D.C. singles are embracing AI for romantic partners
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
More singles are getting romantic with an AI bot in D.C. than in most big cities, per Match data shared exclusively with Axios.
Why it matters: Robot baes are just another example of how Washington's loneliness crisis could be playing out.
The big picture: This is the first year that the dating platform surveyed singles nationwide about using AI for companionship, Match communications director Michael Kaye tells Axios.
- And that's because of a surge in AI use in dating (333%) from last year, Kaye adds.
- The data point is part of their nationwide "Singles in America" study, which surveyed over 5,000 people ages 18 to 98 this year.
By the numbers: 28% of single D.C. respondents have interacted with an AI companion — the second-highest rate among the cities Match polled.
- Denver and Salt Lake City tied for top with 33%.
Zoom in: Single D.C. men and Gen Z-ers were more likely to have flirted with a bot or used it for dating, Match tells Axios.
Between the lines: Match defines "interacting with an AI companion" as someone who's chatting with a bot for romantic or emotional intimacy or using AI to help them craft their dating profile or send messages.
State of play: AI companion apps such as Replika, Blush and Nomi saw a boom in 2024.
- A growing number of women, in particular, are seeking connection and comfort in relationships with chatbots, Axios' Megan Morrone reported last year.
- Rita Popova, the chief product officer of Replika and Blush, previously told Axios she was surprised people started falling in love with their AI bots.
- "People were having really profound, committed relationships."
Zoom out: Hard launching with a GPT isn't the only trend happening around the Beltway.
- 24% of locals are looking for an open relationship — aka, committed, but not exclusive, Match found.
- 22% of District singles said they'd consider celibacy in the future. (Which, if you're dating a robot…)
- And 60% of D.C. daters said political alignment is important, per Match — perhaps not surprising for a city that's known for partisan dating.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Michael Kaye oversees communications at Match (not Match Group).