According to the latest ‘Modern Love’ study conducted by McAfee, a whopping 77% of Indians reported encountering fake profiles or AI-generated photos on dating platforms or social media.
The study, which surveyed 7,000 people across seven countries, including India, reveals the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the online romance space, and the worrying implications for the rise of phishing and romance scams . The survey was conducted online by email in January 2024 by market research firm MSI-ACI, inviting individuals aged 18 and older to fill out an online questionnaire.
Additionally, the prevalence of romance scams is alarming, with 39% of Indians revealing that their online interactions with potential lovers turned out to be scammers. Even more worryingly, 26% of respondents unintentionally had a conversation with an AI-generated bot instead of a real person.
The appeal of AI in online dating is undeniable, with 65% of Indians admitting to using AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance their profiles or craft messages. As Valentine’s Day approaches, 56% of Indians are considering using artificial intelligence to write messages for their loved ones, citing increased confidence.
However, this reliance on AI-generated content has triggered mixed emotions among recipients, with 60% expressing potential hurt or offense after discovering their Valentine’s Day message was written by a machine.
Despite the risks, AI’s effectiveness in generating interest and responses cannot be ignored, with 81% of respondents stating that AI-generated content performs better than original information.
McAfee CTO Steve Grobman highlighted the duality of AI in online dating, saying: “The possibilities with AI are endless, and unfortunately, so are the dangers… We know cybercriminals are also taking advantage of AI is used to amplify malicious activity. As love-seekers spend more time online in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, scammers are using AI to impersonate a love interest to steal your money or personal information.”
As Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity for cybercriminals, McAfee urges people to exercise caution online and offers practical protection measures. These include carefully examining patterns in AI-generated messages, performing reverse image searches on profile pictures, avoiding sending money or gifts to unknown people, and seeking advice from trusted friends or family.
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