Is Bumble losing its way?
Bumble recently announced significant changes, but online daters aren’t rushing to embrace them. Whitney Wolfe Herd, the app’s founder and CEO, discussed in an Axios interview that Bumble will discard the swipe feature by the end of 2026 and has an AI dating assistant called Bee in development, set to launch at year’s end. Wolfe Herd had already hinted at the potential of AI personas back in May 2024.
However, many social media users are critical of Bumble’s AI-centric future. Some TikTok users expressed their discontent, with one saying Bumble has “lost the plot” and another giving up on the app. A third user remarked on the dating “hellscape.” In response, Wolfe Herd clarified on Instagram that Bumble aims to reinforce, not replace, human connections with AI. She stressed that the app’s future will not include AI-generated bios or conversation starters.
Bumble told Mashable that their focus is on ethical and responsible AI use, ensuring human authenticity. Wolfe Herd emphasized they’ve been using AI for safety and connection, and Bumble also invests in IRL events, acknowledging a demand for offline interactions. Despite criticisms and a focus on AI, other dating apps like Tinder and Hinge have also incorporated AI features.