文章指出，2025 年「大约会」一边高喊 AI 配对与虚拟亲密，一边试图洗刷靠规模与利润驱动所累积的疲劳与反感。皮尤研究中心数年前的调查显示，美国将近 60% 的单身成人表示目前不在找认真关系或随意约会；同时 Apptopia 的数据称，多款交友 App 的整体互动年增率下滑 7%。

业者把 AI 当成更快连结与修复体验的解方：Three Day Rule 在 10 月推出受媒人训练、提供即时教练的 AI「Tai」；Grindr 走向「AI first」，以 Anthropic 与 Amazon 的工具做 wingman 与聊天摘要，但也引发部分用户反弹。文章并提到虚拟关系与 AI 伴侣经济升温：TechCrunch 报告称 AI 伴侣市场自 2024 年以来成长逾 96%。

但更强的对冲趋势是回到线下：年轻人想要手机促成见面，而不是取代见面。2025 年 Eventbrite 上的线下交友/社交活动明显增加，交朋友活动较去年同期成长 35%，桌游交友活动的出席成长 55%。文章点名多个「刻意、去规模化」的产品与活动，并预测 2026 年离线导向的交友科技会更主流，从「触及」转向「信任」。

The piece argues that in 2025 “Big Dating” leaned hard into AI matchmaking and virtual intimacy as a reputational reset after a decade of scale- and profit-driven design that fueled dating fatigue. A Pew Research Center study from a few years ago found nearly 60% of single U.S. adults said they were not currently looking for a relationship or casual dates. Even with tens of millions still swiping, Apptopia data cited in the article says overall engagement across several apps fell 7% year over year.

Companies shipped AI as a practical fix: Three Day Rule launched “Tai,” a matchmaker-trained app offering real-time coaching, while Grindr went “AI first,” using Anthropic and Amazon tools for a wingman feature and chat summaries, drawing some user backlash. The article also links the AI hype to rising virtual relationships and monetization. A TechCrunch report is cited claiming the AI companion market has grown more than 96% since 2024.

At the same time, the strongest countertrend is analog: people want digital tools to facilitate real-life meetings, not replace them. IRL dating and social events surged in 2025 on Eventbrite, with friending events up 35% versus the prior year and board-game dating attendance up 55%. The piece highlights smaller, intention-first products and predicts offline-focused dating tech will expand further in 2026, shifting priorities from reach to trust and authenticity.