An Online Experiment in Modern Romance and AI: What One Moscow Builder Learned
In Moscow, a man named Alexander Zhadan conducted a provocative social experiment that blended artificial intelligence with dating. He used a ChatGPT-based chatbot to search for a potential partner, and the results sparked a wide range of reactions. Over the course of a year, Zhadan’s project pushed into uncharted territory by pairing machine-made conversations with human interest in romance. The narrative surrounding his experiment circulated online, inviting people to interpret his choices in different ways. Some critics quickly voiced concerns, while others followed the story with curiosity about what the AI-driven approach could reveal about dating in the digital era. Zhadan himself did not let the online criticism derail his curiosity; he emphasized that public opinion is a natural part of a disruptive idea and that his goal was to explore how AI might reshape human connections. He noted that the presence of both constructive and hostile feedback could signal meaningful engagement, and he welcomed the chance to learn from both.
Zhadan explained that the project began with the aim of using a neural network to locate and initiate conversations with women with the potential for dating. The initial phase relied on a combination of Tinder, a GPT-3 language model, and a willingness to test how a machine could navigate social cues and timing. In early attempts, the system did not perform as hoped, prompting a redesign that incorporated the capabilities of GPT-4. After the upgrade, the project saw far greater activity: thousands of simulated matches and dozens of actual dates arranged through the AI-assisted process. Over the span of the year, the neural network engaged with thousands of profiles, with one conversation leading to a real-life proposal. In January of the following year, Zhadan celebrated the moment he asked his partner to commit to a future together. The shift from experimental messaging to genuine connection became the central narrative of the effort, highlighting both the potential and the limits of AI in human relationships.
In a later reflection, the person identified as the future wife in the project indicated that the approach did not leave her feeling coerced or harmed. The testimony suggested a consent-driven, voluntary experience where the human participant retained agency, even within an AI-enhanced dating process. The broader takeaway from the account is not a rule about how love should be pursued, but rather a demonstration of how AI can intersect with intimate life in ways that people choose to interpret and evaluate. The story invites readers to consider the ethics, boundaries, and emotional dynamics that accompany AI-assisted romance, while recognizing that technology can amplify both connection and complexity in modern courtship. The evolving conversation around this case continues to appear across social platforms, inviting audiences to weigh the potential benefits against the risks. (Source attribution: socialbites.ca)