The Rise of AI Sex Coaches: Flirtini’s Solution to the ‘Dick Pic’ Problem
Responding to widespread concerns over unsolicited intimate images on dating apps, Flirtini has introduced “Flirty Mood,” an AI chatbot designed to teach men respectful sexting before contacting real matches. According to new survey data, 78% of women encounter unsolicited nudes shortly after matching, and nearly half of men express willingness to practice their skills with AI.
The proliferation of unwanted nudes remains a significant issue in the digital dating landscape. Flirtini’s survey of 2,500 active users across the U.S. and U.K. found that one in six women felt constantly overwhelmed by genital photography received post-match. This “dick pic epidemic,” as described by the digital editor, creates significant challenges for aspiring sexters and frustrated potential partners alike.
Flirty Mood aims to be an educational tool, teaching men how to express desire and decode signals “in a way that doesn’t immediately turn women off,” according to Anastasiya Pochotna, Flirtini’s product marketing manager. Its stated boundaries initially limited the coach to crafting opening lines, but analytics suggest users eventually sought more explicit interaction, raising questions about the tool’s practical application.
Opinions among experts are divided. While Lorene Cowan, founder of dating app Yoke, supports the concept, seeing it as a potential tool to reduce “tone-deaf or overly aggressive openers” by teaching nuance and respect, Paul Aaron of The School for Lovers cautions that AI coaching might empower users with harmful ideas about consent and boundaries, potentially making them less rather than more receptive to feedback from human partners.
The market for AI dating assistance is rapidly expanding, indicating a potential demand for such tools. Grindr integrated an AI assistant named Wingman in late 2023, and newcomer RIZZ.AI reported 3.5 million downloads in 2024 at a weekly cost of $7, citing a 30% quarterly growth rate. However, recent Flirtini data indicates that only 38% of male users believe the AI would build confidence, while just 21% think it correctly gauges what is acceptable to send.
Despite these concerns, the Flirty Mood initiative appears to have gained significant female support. A majority of female respondents (50%) welcomed the idea of men practicing with AI, believing it could reduce cringe-inducing messages (36%) and build mutual respect (26%), potentially teaching pushy users boundaries (18%).
Whether Flirty Mood successfully reduces unsolicited nudes remains uncertain. As Flirtini’s Pochotna noted, the long-term impact of AI sex coaching on genuine human interaction in the digital dating world is yet to be determined, though the initiative represents a notable attempt to address a persistent culture problem facing online dating platforms.
