AI Reality Check In Online Dating

mikejuk writes "Researchers have developed an online dating system that not only matches you with partners you'll find attractive, but who are also likely to find you attractive too. The researchers at the University of Iowa have addressed an underlying problem of online dating sites. There's no doubt that such sites are ever increasing in popularity, and have good algorithms taking into account the reported likes, interests and hobbies of the person looking for a partner to come up with a potential match. What's less well catered for is the trickier aspect of the reciprocal interest – you may think person x looks nice, but will they find you equally attractive? The problem here is that if you are Average Joe and try asking out Supermodels Ann, Barbara and Cheryl, you're unlikely to get a reply. Well, not a printable one, anyway. So coming up with yet another supermodel for you to sob over isn't a lot of help.Instead, the researchers add a note of reality by analyzing the replies you get, and use this to work out how attractive you are. This is a scary thought for many of us, and one we may well not want an honest answer to. The results are used to recommend people who might actually reply if you get in contact with them. Fortunately for the attractively challenged, the research is still just that – research. However, given the fact the online dating market is worth around $3 billion a year, chances are someone is going to make use of this. We have been warned."

Comments

Skip the blog, read the paper...

[Frosty Piss]

The /. summary is straight from the blog, and really, the only interesting part of the blog post.

Here's the actual paper (PDF): http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1311/1311.2526.pdf

Re:wait

[michaelmalak]

i wonder if the algorithm is smart enough to offset male attractiveness based on bank account balance

The paper's approach is based not on AI computer vision of attractiveness, nor even "hot or not" scoring by some audience, but rather upon who receives "initial contacts" and from whom. These initial contacts comprise the edges of a bipartite graph.

So if a man's profile photo includes his Porsche or Rolex, or he mentions in his text copy how much "he loves living in [swanky neighborhood]", then, yes, this approach would reflect attraction towards wealth.

Re:Surprised people still use...

[The Snowman]

I agree - anyone ever getting any real replies on those sites?

I did - from my (now) wife.