According to a new study by cybersecurity firm McAfee, while AI is helping people boost their dating game, it’s also fueling a surge in romance scams and fake profiles. In a survey of 7,000 adults across seven countries, McAfee discovered that 23% of Americans are using AI to spice up their dating profiles and messages, a considerable jump from last year. AI seems to be working as 69% reported garnering more attention with AI-generated content than their own words. 45% of men and 39% of all adults consider AI for their romantic gestures.
But all is not roses and rainbows in the digital love realm. Fake profiles and scams are on the rise, with a staggering 58% encountering AI-created profiles, especially on social media. Nearly a third fell victim to scammers pretending to be their online sweethearts, aiming to swindle money or personal information.
The lines between real interactions and AI simulations blur further with generative AI making it hard to spot phony dating messages and profile photos. Over half of respondents confessed they couldn’t reliably differentiate AI-generated messages, and almost half were unsure about identifying AI-created profile pictures.
Scammers are capitalizing on AI advancements to orchestrate elaborate cons, persuading people to part with their money or personal details soon after meeting online. McAfee’s Chief Technology Officer warns of an “escalating threat” posed by AI-powered romance scams, urging caution and skepticism while navigating the online dating world. While AI tools can be a boon for the dating scene, Grobman emphasizes the importance of cautious optimism, advocating for privacy protection measures and sensible sharing practices.
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