AI Meet-Up Apps Combat Loneliness with Innovative Connections

On a summer evening in San Francisco, JT Mason dined with five strangers, a venture facilitated by an innovative app called 222. This platform aims to foster genuine connections rather than the fleeting interactions typical of dating applications. Mason, a 25-year-old paramedic, expressed confidence in the app’s ability to select compatible guests based on a detailed questionnaire that assessed his values, interests, and personality traits.

After dinner, Mason and other users gathered at a private art deco bar, seeking to forge friendships or potentially more meaningful relationships. The app enables users to provide feedback on their interactions, allowing it to refine its matching algorithm. According to 222, its artificial intelligence improves its effectiveness in pairing individuals after they engage in multiple social events, such as dinners, yoga sessions, and improv classes. Mason acknowledged that while AI may not fully grasp human chemistry, it serves as a valuable first step in sparking connections.

The founders of 222, led by Keyan Kazemian, are driven by the quest to help individuals establish lasting connections. Kazemian, a former employee of Match Group, the parent company of Tinder and Hinge, criticized traditional dating apps for their focus on superficial interactions, stating, “They only seek one thing: are you going to swipe right on the next person?”

The rise of AI-powered meet-up applications responds to a growing concern about the difficulty many individuals face in forming meaningful relationships. In 2017, then US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy categorized loneliness as an epidemic, and a 2023 report highlighted the severe health risks associated with social disconnection. According to Murthy, the mortality impact of loneliness is comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, surpassing the dangers of obesity and physical inactivity.

Various factors have contributed to this loneliness epidemic, including the decline of traditional social institutions, the addictive nature of digital platforms, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Approaches to Building Connections

When Isabella Epstein relocated to New York in 2021 for a job at an investment bank, she faced considerable challenges in establishing a social network. Coming from a small university in rural Vermont, she found the transition to a bustling city emotionally taxing. Despite trying several apps and clubs, she struggled to make lasting connections. Epstein took matters into her own hands, approaching strangers and initiating conversations, such as complimenting their outfits or inquiring about the books they were reading.

Through these efforts, Epstein accumulated a vast array of contacts. She eventually launched her own app, Kndrd, which caters to women under 40 in New York. The platform allows users to suggest activities and connect with others who share similar interests.

Emerging alongside 222 and Kndrd are other similar services, including Timeleft, Plots, and Realroots. Notably, these apps focus on facilitating real-life meetings, which aligns with the observation of Felix-Olivier Ngangue, an investor at Convivialite Ventures. He noted, “The positive side of these apps is that their business model doesn’t rely on time spent online. It’s in their interest for people to meet in real life.”

As technology continues to evolve, these AI-driven platforms symbolize a new approach to combating loneliness by prioritizing direct human interactions. By leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance social connections, these applications aim to address a pressing public health concern and foster lasting relationships in an increasingly disconnected world.