In San Francisco, working at OpenAI could make you a catch at work but a red flag in the dating scene.
A report by The San Francisco Standard published on 24 October found that some local singles are assessing potential partners by their artificial intelligence (AI) employers and views on the technology, with opinions on OpenAI and rival Anthropic influencing dating decisions.
AI Companies Face Dating Scrutiny
Jessica Traver, a 24-year-old primary schoolteacher, told The San Francisco Standard that she would be more hesitant to date someone working in AI. 'I think if you work at OpenAI, that's kind of a red flag,' she said, citing concerns about products designed to automate work and replace human workers.
Traver said she considered Anthropic 'a little more ethical' after hearing its chief executive, Dario Amodei, call for a slowdown in AI development.
The scrutiny extends beyond women evaluating male partners. Tommy, a 32-year-old commercial litigator who declined to give his surname, told the publication that he was sceptical of people working at AI laboratories or startups, whom he associated with chasing wealth and the industry's popularity.
Matchmakers Charge Hundreds for Dates
The financial opportunities associated with the technology sector have also created a market for specialised matchmaking services. On 22 October, San Francisco matchmaker Domo Vang hosted a dinner at Harborview Restaurant & Bar, charging male attendees $800 (£600.46) while women attended free, according to The San Francisco Standard.
The event attracted 15 women and seven men, including employees of Anthropic and a man in his 70s. Vang said her clients primarily include men working at AI companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia and Google.
Vang also offers $1,000 (£750.58) 'diagnostic dates', which begin with a 30-minute mock date before she provides feedback on a client's dating approach. She told the publication that women seeking partners in AI often work in technology or related fields themselves.
AI Beliefs Enter the Dating Conversation
AI-related dating judgements have also featured at Love Isn't Blind, a live dating show hosted by Alli Goldberg. During the events, Goldberg examines contestants' phones onstage, including their ChatGPT histories and Reddit activity.
At a recent show in San Francisco, two of the four male contestants worked in AI, and the audience playfully booed one after Goldberg announced his profession. Goldberg said the reaction illustrated how divisive the industry had become in a city where AI plays a major economic role.
Moreover, views on AI also influence the relationships that technology founders are willing to pursue. Conor Brennan-Burke, chief executive of AI startup Hyperspell, said he would be open to dating an OpenAI employee but might hesitate over someone from Anthropic because of the company's association with concerns about AI risks.
'I enjoy serious conversations about AI risks, but I think for somebody who's very hardcore doomer, it might be difficult for us to relate.' Brennan-Burke added.
In San Francisco, an AI job may signal professional success, but it can also become a dating red flag as some singles weigh a man's employer and beliefs about technology before considering a match.
