Bumble is getting rid of the swipe, CEO says

So Bumble is ditching the swipe — that little gesture that basically defined modern dating apps for the past decade. What’s replacing it? An AI assistant called Bee that’s supposed to help you find matches in a smarter, more conversational way instead of just flicking through photos like you’re browsing a furniture catalogue. Think of it like the difference between wandering around a store alone hoping something catches your eye, versus having a personal shopper who actually knows your taste ask you a few questions and brings you the good stuff. The swipe was always a bit of a slot machine anyway — designed to keep you engaged, not necessarily to find you a partner.

The idea behind using AI here is that it can learn what you actually respond to over time, not just what you say you want. We all know those people who claim they want someone “outdoorsy and ambitious” but keep falling for someone entirely different. An AI assistant that pays attention to your patterns could theoretically cut through that noise faster than a grid of profile photos ever could. It’s still early days, and honestly the dating app space has made a lot of promises it hasn’t kept — but the core concept of replacing mindless scrolling with something more intentional makes sense.

Now, how could you actually use this to your advantage?

If you’re single and paying for a premium dating app subscription, watch this space closely. As Bumble rolls out AI features, competing apps will likely follow with free or cheaper versions of similar tools. You might be able to get better matchmaking without upgrading — or use the competition between apps to negotiate better deals.

If you run a small business in anything adjacent to relationships — wedding photography, event planning, couples therapy, even gift shops — these AI-driven apps are going to get better at connecting people faster. More successful matches means more couples, sooner. Start thinking now about how to reach newly-formed couples in their first few months together, because that pipeline is about to move quicker.

And if you have any skills in writing, coaching, or communication, there’s a growing market for helping people build better dating profiles and conversation prompts that work well with AI-assisted platforms. People will pay for help standing out to an algorithm, just like they pay for help with their LinkedIn or resume.

Dating apps finally getting smarter means your time — and money — should go further if you play it right.