Gen Z dating app Ditto replaces swiping with AI matchmaking

Ditto, founded by UC Berkeley dropouts Allen Wang and Eric Liu, is an AI-powered dating service for Gen Z college students who are tired of swipe-based apps. Instead of a typical app, users sign up by texting an iMessage number with a code, then interact with an AI chatbot named Ditto that asks questions about their biography, personality, and dating preferences. The algorithm matches people based on what their interests say about their character rather than superficial similarities. Every Wednesday at 7 pm, Ditto sends users their match with a time and location, and they just have to show up. After the date, Ditto collects feedback to improve future matches. Ditto has 150,000 signups, and about 20% of matches lead to dates. The service is currently available at a few dozen colleges, where users are vetted via .edu emails, and plans to expand beyond college while ensuring safety. Ditto has $9.2 million in seed funding from investors like Gradient, Peak XV, and Scribble, and has gained notoriety through marketing stunts. The company is based in San Francisco with 12 employees and is hiring a 'chief yacht officer' for promotional parties.