Tinder is turning to artificial intelligence to help fix its long-running engagement problem, but its latest experiment might raise more questions than sparks.
The dating app, which has now logged nine straight quarters of paying subscriber decline, is testing a new feature called “Chemistry.” The goal: to use AI to learn more about who you are, not just what you say you’re into.
As Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff explained on this week’s earnings call, Chemistry asks users a series of questions and, with permission, scans their Camera Roll to understand their interests, personality, and lifestyle cues from the photos they take.
The feature is currently being piloted in New Zealand and Australia, and will become a “major pillar of Tinder’s 2026 experience.”
In other words, Tinder wants its AI to know you better, perhaps better than you know yourself.
The company says the feature could help make matches more compatible. For instance, if your photos show you hiking or traveling, the AI might pair you with someone who shares those same passions. But while the concept sounds smart, critics argue that the trade-off between convenience and privacy is growing thinner than ever.
Tinder isn’t alone. Meta recently began asking users to allow its AI to scan photos on their phones, even ones not shared online, to power new editing suggestions. In both cases, the “benefits” to users remain vague, while the data implications are massive.
Beyond “Chemistry,” Match is also experimenting with other AI features, including LLM-powered message filters that nudge users before sending something offensive (“Are you sure?”) and AI-assisted photo selection to help users choose their best profile pics.