A new dating app called Overtone is set to change the way people date, by using an AI matchmaking service instead of the traditional swiping method. The app, founded by Justin McLeod, promises to make introductions based on compatibility, using relationship science and thoughtful reflection.
The concept of compatibility has been studied by scientists for decades, and the idea of using technology to predict it is not new. The first algorithm-led matchmaking models were introduced in the 1960s, with one of the earliest being TACT, or Technical Automated Compatibility Testing.
How Overtone’s AI Matchmaking Model Works
While the exact details of Overtone‘s AI matchmaking model are not yet clear, a company spokesperson says it is based on “the study of how people connect and what makes long-term relationships work”. Paul Eastwick, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, is skeptical about the app’s claims, saying that predicting compatibility is difficult, if not impossible.
Eastwick says, “You can predict who’s popular, but you can’t predict who’s compatible”. They have tried that many times. You really can’t predict much better than chance who’s going to like whom when people sit and self-disclose.
The Appeal of Overtone
Despite its limitations, Overtone may appeal to those who are exhausted by the modern dating experience. Indigo, a 28-year-old woman, says she would be interested in using the app, as it would require both parties to give more information, potentially leading to more considered matches.
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The app’s shift away from infinite choice may also be a welcome change for some. With Overtone, users can rest their thumbs and wait for a “perfect” match to be presented by technology, rather than having to sift through countless profiles.
This raises concerns about the role of AI in our personal lives. We may have to wait to be told by AI that we’re compatible before we fully believe it, losing trust in our own instincts, judgement, and emotions.
The Evolution of Compatibility
Eastwick believes that compatibility is not static or pre-determined, but rather something that evolves over time.
For now, it remains to be seen how Overtone will fare in the dating app market. One thing is certain, however: the app’s use of AI matchmaking is set to challenge traditional notions of compatibility and relationships, and raise important questions about the role of technology in our personal lives, including the impact on our heartbreaking experiences.
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