News Psychology

Smiles tweaked by AI can boost attraction, a speed-dating study shows

Shifting smiles with face filters reveals how technology can manipulate feelings of attraction

A woman on a computer screen smiles while she looks at a smaller square of a man, who is also smiling.

A video speed-dating experiment revealed the power of a smile: Subtle enhancements led to higher levels of attraction.

David Malan/Stone, Getty Images

By Laura Sanders

A well-timed smile could be the ultimate speed-dating hack. Smiles enhanced by artificial intelligence during video chats led to higher romantic attraction, researchers report October 28 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.