Artificial intelligence could radically change how people build relationships online – far beyond the familiar swiping models of current dating apps. According to Amber Atherton, partner at venture capital firm Patron, the next wave of relationship tech will likely move away from traditional dating app formats toward AI-powered “relationship operating systems.”
These emerging platforms, which Atherton refers to as “agentic social networks,” use AI agents to identify and suggest meaningful connections based on user data. “There’s an agentic social network basically that I think is going to emerge that is not packaged as a dating app,” Atherton said. “It’s packaged more as this operating system for relationships.”
Unlike typical dating apps, these platforms are designed for broader use cases—facilitating not only romantic connections but also friendships and professional relationships. “The idea being that it’s always on, evergreen AI-assisted network that can surface connections that are relevant for friendship, romance, professional life,” she explained. Given that AI has seen a 300% increase in use for dating purposes – entirely at the hands of the users – this isn’t an unlikely outcome.
Startups such as Boardy and Gigi are already experimenting in this space. Boardy brands itself as an AI connector for professionals, while Gigi recently shifted from being a dating app to an “AI social connector” for various types of relationships. While Patron is not currently invested in either, Atherton believes more of these platforms will appear, often starting in the professional networking space before expanding – with dating obviously not falling far behind.
Patron, which raised a $100 million fund in 2024, remains committed to investing in early-stage consumer tech. Atherton’s broader thesis also includes platforms that encourage in-person connections, apps for maintaining close relationships, and tools that enable shared virtual experiences.
While the sector is still developing, Atherton sees strong potential for a new generation of consumer platforms that use AI to tackle social connection – and loneliness – in increasingly personalized and immersive ways.
