A new, AI-powered matchmaking service is rapidly changing how college students find romantic connections across California by moving away from the swiping model that has dominated the digital landscape for over a decade. This platform, known as Ditto, is gaining significant traction on campuses as it replaces manual profile browsing with computer-generated pairings based on user interests.
According to the New York Post, this startup was founded in 2024 by former students from UC Berkeley. The service is now expanding its reach far beyond its original home, currently operating on campuses across the country, including nine universities in California. The process for using the service is straightforward and reportedly removes the guesswork associated with traditional apps.
Instead of spending hours scrolling through profiles, students reportedly fill out a comprehensive survey that allows the platform’s artificial intelligence to analyze their interests and determine compatible matches. Once the system finds a potential connection, it notifies the users. New pairings are generated every Wednesday, and once matched, the students coordinate a time to meet for the AI-planned date.
Everything is set up; you just need to show up
This might be one of the most interesting features of this system. The AI goes beyond introduction and creates a full itinerary for the first date. Per reports, by handling the logistics, the app allows users to focus entirely on the actual interaction.
FOX40 highlighted that this transition comes at a time when traditional dating apps, which have relied on the swipe-right or swipe-left mechanic since 2012, are facing criticism for being outdated. The team behind Ditto believes the current methods of online dating are fundamentally limited. As the company states on its website, “For the past 20 years, we’ve connected in primitive ways. But now … AI brings your ‘profiles’ to life as agents.”
According to the outlet, the data suggests that this approach is resonating with the Gen Z demographic. The company reports that it has already successfully arranged more than 12,000 dates. Perhaps most impressively, 92% of matched participants indicated that they wanted to go on a second date. These numbers are reportedly quite high compared to the often-frustrating outcomes of standard dating apps.
FOX40 also noted that this tech is being built while leaders have been concerned about the rise of social isolation. They noted that in May 2023, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued an advisory that described loneliness as an “epidemic.”
In that advisory, he emphasized the gravity of the situation. “We have an opportunity, and an obligation, to make the same investments in addressing social connection that we have made in addressing tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis,” Murthy explained.
It is impossible to say for sure if AI will completely replace the current swiping culture. However, reports note that Ditto is positioning itself to address the need for more genuine, organized connections. This is different from how AI has been used in dating so far.
Recently, a Redditor initiated a viral discussion after noticing that the texts of the man she was dating seemed like they were written by ChatGPT. This, of course, is a case of how daily people have been pulling AI into their dating lives. Ditto is also using AI differently from AI relationship companions like EVA AI. The latter hosted an AI dating cafe this past Valentine’s Day, to celebrate virtual companions.
Ditto is using AI purely as a connection tool. By automating the matchmaking and planning process, the service reportedly aims to bypass the burnout associated with current dating apps. The founders are betting on the idea that students are ready to leave behind what they consider a primitive style of digital dating.
Published: Jul 14, 2026 01:27 pm