Love in the Time of AI: Online Dating, AI Bots and Romantic Relationships of Young Adults (CreativeAI Studentship) The University of Manchester in United Kingdom

The University of Manchester invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship titled 'Love in the Time of AI: Online Dating, AI Bots and Romantic Relationships of Young Adults (CreativeAI Studentship)'. This interdisciplinary project explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on romantic relationships, focusing on the deployment and future visions of AI-driven dating bots within the digital dating industry. With over 1,500 dating apps and websites in operation, AI is increasingly shaping how individuals create profiles, match, and connect for dates. The project partners with the Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA), which represents more than 500 organizations globally and collaborates with key stakeholders such as Ofcom.

The research targets the 'Gen Z' cohort in the UK—those born between 1997 and 2012 and aged 18+ at the time of data collection—to examine the unique challenges they face as digital natives navigating pressures to form meaningful and authentic personal connections. Guided by three core research questions, the study investigates how dating bots are designed, deployed, and envisioned for future use; how young adults perceive, interact with, and integrate dating bots into their romantic lives; and what opportunities, challenges, and ethical concerns these technologies pose.

Work packages include a comprehensive literature review, ethics application, data management plan, mapping current uses of dating bots, and conducting an online survey and in-depth interviews. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to complete an internship with ODDA, gaining valuable insight and transferable skills, and to translate their findings into a policy brief with support from Policy@Manchester.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent) and a Master's degree in a relevant subject with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in the dissertation, and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent). Evidence of English language proficiency is required: IELTS minimum score 7.0 overall and 7.0 in writing, TOEFL minimum score 100 overall and 25 in all sections, or Pearson Test of English minimum score 76 overall and 76 in writing. Applicants with a strong track record at the intersection of technology, society, and intimacy, especially within humanities and social sciences, are particularly encouraged. Experience with survey and interview methods is desirable. All required supporting documents must be included at submission.

The CreativeAI studentship covers tuition fees, research support, and a stipend (£20,780 for 2025/2026), commencing in September 2026. The application deadline is midnight (GMT) on March 30, 2026. Formal interviews are expected to take place online on May 14, 2026. The University of Manchester is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, actively encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds and career paths.

To apply, submit your application online for the PhD Digital Humanities, Cultures and Media. In Section 6, select 'Yes' for applying to an advertised project and insert the project title as stated. Indicate your intention to apply for the CreativeAI studentship in Section 9. Ensure all required supporting documents are included; incomplete applications may not be considered. For further information or questions, contact Dr Łukasz Szulc ([email protected]) or Dr Scott Midson ([email protected]).

Relevant references include works on algorithmic intimacy, digital relationships, and AI-mediated social bonds, such as Elliott (2022), Hu & Ge (2025), Lin (2024), Midson (2020), and Szulc et al. (2025). For more details, visit the project page and related academic resources.