AI Meet-Up Apps Combat Loneliness with Innovative Connections

On a recent summer evening in San Francisco, JT Mason, a 25-year-old paramedic, dined with five strangers, facilitated by an innovative app called 222. Unlike traditional dating platforms, 222 aims to foster genuine friendships through its unique matching system. Mason, who completed an extensive questionnaire about his values and interests, expressed enthusiasm about meeting people authentically. After their dinner, the group continued their evening at a private art deco bar, seeking to form connections beyond mere acquaintances.

The app employs artificial intelligence to refine its matching capabilities as users engage in various social events, ranging from dinners to yoga classes. Mason acknowledged that while AI has limitations in understanding human chemistry, it serves as a valuable tool in initiating connections. “I think it can serve as the first step in getting us to the table to try to create that connection,” he remarked.

Keyan Kazemian, one of the co-founders of 222, emphasized the app’s mission to not only facilitate initial interactions but also encourage long-lasting relationships. He noted that traditional dating apps often focus solely on immediate attraction, whereas 222 attempts to move beyond that superficiality. Kazemian’s background at Match Group, the parent company of popular dating services like Tinder and Hinge, informs his vision for a more meaningful social experience.

The growing concern over loneliness and its health implications has prompted action from various sectors. In 2017, then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted a “loneliness epidemic.” His 2023 report underscored the serious health risks associated with social disconnection, likening its mortality impact to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. The report points to factors such as the decline of traditional social institutions, the rise of addictive digital platforms, and the effects of the pandemic as contributors to this crisis.

The experience of Isabella Epstein, who moved to New York in 2021 to work at an investment bank, illustrates the challenges many face in forming new connections. Epstein, having relocated from a close-knit community in Vermont, found herself struggling to build a social circle. After experimenting with various apps and clubs, she turned to spontaneous interactions with strangers, complimenting outfits and initiating conversations in coffee shops. This approach ultimately helped her cultivate hundreds of contacts, leading her to organize informal gatherings that fostered friendships.

Driven by her passion to address the loneliness epidemic, Epstein left her job to create her own app, Kndrd, which focuses on helping women under 40 in New York City find activities and companions. With approximately 10,000 users, Kndrd aims to empower women to create meaningful connections and engage in social activities.

Several other platforms similar to 222 and Kndrd have emerged recently, including Timeleft, Plots, and Realroots. According to Felix-Olivier Ngangue, an investor at Convivialite Ventures, the positive aspect of these apps lies in their business models, which prioritize real-life interactions over prolonged online engagement. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the need for authentic human connections in an increasingly digital world.

As these AI-powered meet-up applications gain traction across major cities, from London to Los Angeles, they represent a significant response to the loneliness epidemic. By leveraging technology to facilitate genuine interactions, these platforms aim to enhance social well-being and foster lasting relationships among users.