NEWSWEEK – Jackie Jantos says AI is increasingly replacing small, vulnerable conversations that build real relationships, as young people use tools like ChatGPT instead of turning to friends. She points to declining in-person interaction among Gen Z and argues that technology removes the “messiness” needed for intimacy. While AI can mimic empathy and conversation, it lacks real reciprocity and shared experience. At Hinge, Jantos is focusing on intentional friction, real-world connection, and product design that pushes users toward actual relationships rather than more time on the app.