Vice President JD Vance warns Americans about the dangers of dating apps and AI chatbots replacing genuine human connections, as birthrates continue to decline nationwide.

At a Glance

• Vice President JD Vance expressed concerns that dating apps like Tinder and Bumble are “more destructive than we fully appreciate”
• Vance believes technology has made communication between young men and women increasingly difficult
• He warns AI chatbots could further isolate young people and reduce satisfaction from real human interactions
• The Vice President discussed these concerns with Pope Leo XIV during a recent meeting in Rome
• Vance has consistently advocated for policies that promote family formation and higher birthrates

Technology’s Growing Interference in Human Connections

Vice President JD Vance has taken a firm stance against popular dating applications, suggesting they may be undermining the foundation of genuine human relationships. During a recent dialogue with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, Vance outlined his concerns about how modern technology is reshaping the dating landscape for young Americans. The Vice President specifically identified platforms like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble as potentially harmful tools that are changing how young people form relationships and communicate with potential partners.

“If you look at basic dating behavior among young people — and I think a lot of this is that the dating apps are probably more destructive than we fully appreciate,” said Vance during his conversation with the Pope.

According to Vance, these platforms have created barriers to natural communication between young men and women. This technology-mediated dating environment appears to correlate with concerning trends in American society, including declining marriage rates and fewer families being formed among younger generations.

The AI Relationship Threat

Beyond dating apps, Vance expressed deeper concerns about artificial intelligence and its potential to further erode meaningful human connections. The Vice President warned that AI chatbots could become a substitute for real human interaction, particularly among teenagers and young adults who may already struggle with social isolation. This technological development threatens to create a generation more comfortable interacting with AI than with other people.

“There’s a level of isolation, I think, mediated through technology, that technology can be a bit of a salve. It can be a bit of a Band-Aid. Maybe it makes you feel less lonely, even when you are lonely. But this is where I think AI could be profoundly dark and negative,” Vance stated.

The Vice President’s concerns about AI extend beyond just relationship formation. He suggested that as young people become accustomed to interacting with responsive AI chatbots designed to please them, real human interactions—which require compromise and sometimes cause frustration—may become less appealing. This shift could further damage prospects for marriage and family formation in the United States.

Broader Implications for American Society

Vance’s critique aligns with his longstanding advocacy for policies that strengthen American families and promote higher birthrates. The Vice President has repeatedly expressed concern about declining marriage rates and birthrates in the United States, viewing these trends as indicative of deeper social problems. His criticism of dating apps and AI reflects a broader conservative perspective that values traditional relationship formation and family structures.

“But what I do really worry about is does it mean that there are millions of American teenagers talking to chatbots who don’t have their best interests at heart?” Vance questioned during his remarks.

During his conversation with Pope Leo XIV, Vance also touched on other AI-related concerns, including cybersecurity threats and China’s advancement in artificial intelligence technologies. The newly elected Pope reportedly shares Vance’s concerns about technology’s impact on human relationships, drawing parallels between the current AI revolution and the Catholic Church’s response to previous technological shifts like the Industrial Revolution.

As American society continues to navigate the complex intersection of technology and human relationships, Vance’s warnings serve as a reminder that technological advancement should be measured not just by convenience or efficiency, but by its impact on the fundamental human connections that build families and communities.