Bumble, the dating app creator, is exploring generative AI with a new assistant named “Bee,” introduced during the firm’s Q4 earnings. Bee is designed as a personal matchmaker, learning users’ values, relationship goals, communication style, lifestyle, and dating intentions through private conversations to help find better matches.
Bee is currently in its pilot phase, being tested internally, according to Bumble’s founder and CEO, Whitney Wolfe Herd. The assistant will soon enter the beta phase.
With Bee, Bumble aims to gather more information about its users by understanding their stories and preferences, setting itself apart from competitors like Tinder, which recently revamped its app in a dating market struggling with Gen Z interest.
Users will interact with Bee similarly to other AI chatbots in a more conversational style. Initially, Bee will enhance a new feature called “Dates,” using AI to suggest matches and potentially offering date ideas or gathering anonymous feedback from past matches.
In “Dates,” Bee will learn about the user during onboarding, then find two individuals with shared intentions, values, and goals. Both will receive notifications explaining why they’re a good match.
This AI-driven feature is part of a larger rebranding of Bumble to focus on technology and AI, following its history of features prioritizing women’s needs such as “women message first,” body-shaming bans, and image-blurring tools.
Bumble aims to rejuvenate user growth amid a dating market where younger demographics, notably Gen Z, are growing weary of swiping. The company plans to experiment with removing the traditional swipe mechanic in select areas, focusing instead on “chapter-based” profiles that allow users to connect over life stories, offering more data for AI algorithms.
Whitney Wolfe Herd stated the company will introduce dynamic methods for users to express interest in stories rather than just profiles, which will encourage meaningful engagement and improve metrics like conversations and offline interactions.
Besides, Bumble is exploring ways to cater to Gen Z’s preference for group socializing instead of one-on-one dating.
The company has been incorporating AI into its app for years, with features like AI photo selection, feedback tools, and scam account detection. Bumble’s infrastructure has been enhanced to integrate AI throughout.
Bumble reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings, with revenue reaching $224.2 million and a 7.9% increase in average revenue per paying user to $22.20. The stock surged 40% on the announcement.