Grindr is deepening its focus on artificial intelligence with a new office in Palo Alto, aiming to draw from the Bay Area’s engineering talent to develop AI-driven features that reshape user experiences. CEO George Arison confirmed that new hires in the region will help build out Grindr’s product roadmap, which is increasingly anchored in AI.
At the core of these efforts are new tools designed to enhance how users connect, including features for both spontaneous and long-term engagement. The “Right Now” feature, launched in March, caters to users looking for immediate connections in real-time. Available in 17 major cities, it’s already seeing strong uptake—used weekly by around 20–25% of Grindr’s user base in those locations, according to the company.
Grindr is also investing in tools to support more intentional dating. “A-List,” now rolling out to a segment of Grindr Unlimited subscribers, leverages generative AI models from Anthropic and Amazon Web Services to curate lists of past connections and generate chat summaries. The idea is to help users easily resume conversations without scrolling through old threads.
These developments are part of a broader AI-centric product strategy that includes six new intent-based offerings in 2025. Other upcoming tools include “Discover,” which lets users explore potential matches globally, and an “Explore Heatmap” feature that showcases activity in popular LGBTQ+ neighborhoods.
Arison positions the company as aiming to become “AI-native,” paralleling Grindr’s original innovation in location-based dating more than a decade ago.
