What happens when technology takes the wheel in our love lives? From dating apps and AI-powered matchmaking to full-on digital companionship, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a third party in our most personal relationships. But is it truly helping us find deeper connection, or is it just reshaping romance into an algorithmic illusion?
These questions will be explored at the AI Stage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening from October 27 to 29 in San Francisco’s Moscone West. The event will feature three leading voices to discuss the future of love, trust, and technology.
The panel includes Eugenia Kuyda, the founder of Replika, the world’s leading AI companion platform with over 35 million users. Her mission is to build AI that supports human emotional well-being rather than replacing it. Also joining is Mark Kantor, the head of product at Tinder and former GM at Zynga, who understands how product features and behavioral design influence who we match with and meet. Rounding out the panel is Dr. Amanda Gesselman, a research scientist from the Kinsey Institute, whose work examines how digital intimacy and emotional outsourcing are redefining relationships in the AI era.
In this session, the discussion will cover several key areas. They will examine how recommendation engines shape who we date and why. The conversation will also address the psychological impact of digital companionship and AI relationships. The panel will explore what is being lost or gained when intimacy is optimized by technology, and they will highlight ethical concerns and design choices that require more scrutiny.
Whether you are building an AI product, navigating the modern dating landscape, or are simply curious about the emotional side of emerging technology, this panel will challenge your assumptions about connection in a digital-first world.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 takes place from October 27 to 29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. This event also marks the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch. You can save up to $668 on registration if you sign up before September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.