Word of the Week: Chatfishing

Dating apps already ask us to judge strangers by a few photos and a clever bio. Now we have another problem: what if the person sending those irresistible messages has a little help from artificial intelligence?

Chatfishing is the practice of using AI to write romantic messages on dating apps, sometimes creating a personality that seems funnier, smoother, or more emotionally intelligent than the person behind the screen.

The word is a twist on catfishing, the online deception involving a fake identity. With chatfishing, the photos and identity might be real. It is the conversation that gets an artificial makeover.

Some people simply ask AI to polish an awkward message. Others let chatbots handle entire conversations, producing a steady stream of perfect compliments and thoughtful replies. The trouble starts when that digital charm meets reality over coffee.

Imagine falling for someone who always knows what to say, only to discover that your brilliant conversationalist has been outsourcing the flirting. You thought you had chemistry. Turns out, you had a chatbot.

Of course, a little writing help is not automatically deception. But when AI does all the talking, who exactly are you getting to know?

Sandbox World Definition

CHATFISHING (CHAT-fish-ing): Using artificial intelligence to write romantic messages, potentially making someone appear more charming or attentive than they really are.