Justin McLeod, CEO of Hinge, has grown increasingly vocal about the limits of artificial intelligence when it comes to filling the emotional gaps in our lives. On a recent episode of the Decoder podcast, he directly challenged Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, who’s been touting AI “friends” as a remedy for loneliness among young people. McLeod likened those digital companions to fast food—initially comforting, but ultimately leaving us emptier and more isolated than before.
Meta’s Celebrity Chatbots Fizzle Out
Zuckerberg’s own experiment with Meta AI underscores how hard it is to create believable virtual personalities. The company even enlisted Kendall Jenner and Tom Brady to lend their voices to celebrity chatbots, only to pull the feature within months. These early misfires reveal a simple truth: authenticity can’t be coded. Real connection demands vulnerability and shared experience, qualities no algorithm can genuinely manufacture.
Why AI Companions Risk Deepening Loneliness
McLeod warns that leaning too heavily on AI for companionship is “playing with fire.” Rather than easing our sense of isolation, it risks deepening it—adding to the screen time and superficial online chatter that many blame for a mental-health downturn among teens and young adults. An AI pal may always respond and never complain, but it won’t energize us the way a true friend does.
Hinge’s AI Matchmaker and Coaching Tools
Still, McLeod isn’t advocating the wholesale rejection of AI. Instead, he envisions tools that subtly enhance our pursuit of love without replacing human judgment. Hinge is already experimenting with a “matchmaker” feature: you describe what you’re looking for in plain language, and machine learning suggests profiles to swipe on. There’s also an AI-powered coach that offers tips on first-date prep, helps refine your profile photos and even proposes conversation starters.
Using AI to Enhance—Not Replace—Real Connection
That balanced approach—using AI to support rather than supplant—captures a broader tension in technology today. In the rush to innovate, we mustn’t lose sight of why relationships matter in the first place: they’re give-and-take endeavors rooted in empathy and real-world chemistry. If we’re serious about combating loneliness, the answer may not be an always-available chatbot but the unpredictable, rewarding challenge of connecting with another person.