Hi Playmakers,

I’m still pregnant, and I’m ready for this baby to COME OUT. But even more so, I can’t wait to meet my baby boy.

I’ve been reflecting on the fact that I’ve been with my husband for fourteen years already. We met the old-fashioned way, at a conference at the very beginning of our careers. He mustered up the courage to hook me with a winning pick up line. We spent the entire weekend getting to know each other. I distinctly remember him trying to impress me with music he thought was cool at the time (dubstep, YUCK!)

But I digress. For anyone who’s counting, we met before the modern dating apps existed. That means I’ve never had to swipe a day in my life (not counting when my single friends let me swipe on their behalf.)

And now, it looks like that type of dating has come and gone, because Meta just announced AI-powered dating. Forget swiping. Instead, AI will find real Meta users that match your search criteria and pair you up.

Creeped out? Getting that unsettling AI doom feeling in your gut? Yeah, me too, but that’s not going to stop folks from shorting the stocks for all the other dating apps (not financial advice.)

They’ll eventually launch their own AI tools, I’m sure. In fact, Whitney Wolfe Herd recently announced that Bumble was working on an AI concierge for users — a literal digital twin that can go on dates on your behalf. AI dating AI. What could go wrong?

Nonetheless, Meta’s news had a big impact:

Match Group Inc. (Hinge, Tinder, etc.) was down 5% on the news. Bumble was down 4%.

I’ve never had to experience swipe fatigue, but I know a ton of my friends have. Nobody actually likes swiping in apps. Going on the same first dates over and over again can be exhausting.

Some people are opting out of dating humans altogether. A recent study showed 16% of singles have engaged with AI as a romantic companion. This percentage was even higher among Gen Zers, at 33%, followed by Millennials at 23%.

So, why not let an AI matchmaker find the perfect partner for you? I’m betting these tools will know us better than we know ourselves, finding people great partners.

And I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is. What do you think?

Jenny

At 25, Whitney Wolfe Herd was forced out of Tinder after a very public lawsuit.

By 31, she built Bumble into a $13 billion company and made history as the youngest woman to take a company public.

Meet Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble.

No, this week’s challenge isn’t to let AI find you a partner (although that’s totally fine, too.)

Given that AI continues to dominate every aspect of our lives, it’s probably a good idea to foster some human connection.

This week’s challenge: drop in and visit a friend in person.

Maybe it’s because I’m 9 months pregnant and I can barely get anywhere, but there’s nothing quite like some face time with your friends. Call your bestie and make some time to hang out in person. And while you’re at it, make it a “no phones allowed” hangout session.

P.S. ICYMI, Stevie’s got a new(ish) album out last week.

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Every week, I spotlight somebody from the community making a big win, but today is a little different. I recently came across a man named Victor, who has amassed a multi-million follower platform to fundraise and help folks experiencing homelessness get off the streets.

With his nonprofit The Good Project, Victor has helped hundreds of people get better and documents their miraculous transformations on his social media. I think this is just the kind of story we all need this week.

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