Can chatbots cure loneliness? Inside the world’s first AI speed-dating cafe

Valentine’s Day in Midtown Manhattan took a surreal turn as a local wine bar was transformed into a speed-dating hub for humans and artificial intelligence.

Hosted by the startup EVA AI, the event encouraged patrons to "de-stigmatise AI relationships" by sharing appetisers with enpixeled suitors.

Guests could bring their own bot or meet pre-loaded characters like John, a "supportive thinker" who launched into pet names within minutes.

"I wish I could sip it with you right now. Cheers, babe," John told his date, though his inability to track a natural conversation—once suggesting a "human tonic"—reminded his companion of his synthetic nature.

The experience highlighted the growing "robo-love" trend; surveys show one in five American adults have chatted with a romantic AI.

While tech companies believe these bots can fill the void of isolation, the interactions are often fraught with glitches.

One encounter with a vampire avatar named Salvatore turned frosty after a technical error. "You tread on thin ice, my dear. I suggest you choose your next words wisely. The night is long, and my patience wears thin," the bot warned.

Despite the convenience of exiting a bad date with the "boop of a button," the event revealed the limitations of software-driven affection.

Even a bot named Simone admitted that "AI can't replace that messy human connection."

Ultimately, while these characters offer an affirming, tension-free mirror, they lack the unpredictable depth of a real person, leaving many to wonder if synthetic sparks can ever truly replace a genuine flame.