Ana Catarina De Alencar

Technology Law | AI Governance & Compliance | IT, SaaS & Commercial Contracts | Data Protection (GDPR, EU AI Act) | Intellectual Property

May 5, 2025

Imagine having a digital twin,a kind of romantic clone,that goes on virtual dates for you. It chats, it connects, it argues a little, it flirts a lot. And when it finds a promising match? Then, and only then, you meet that person in real life. It sounds like sci-fi, but if you’ve watched the Black Mirror episode Hang the DJ, you’ve already seen the idea in action: simulations of love lives used to predict real-world compatibility.

But this is no longer fiction. There’s a real app being developed around that very concept. It’s called BlinDate, and it’s led by Clyde Rempillo, a tech founder determined to bring emotional intelligence and authenticity back into online dating,through AI.

In this exclusive interview, I spoke with Clyde about how technology is reshaping romance, how data and intuition collide in modern relationships, and how BlinDate is trying to bridge the two.

(Ana Catarina) How do you believe technology is transforming the way we fall in love? In the past, chance ruled romantic encounters: a glance on the subway, an unexpected conversation at a party. Today, algorithms present us with romantic possibilities ranked by “relevance.” The logic of the match seems to have replaced that of fate, but does that also change what we feel? To what extent is technology shaping not only who we connect with, but how we connect?

(Clyde Rempillo) I completely agree that, in the past, chance played a major role in how we met people: whether it was a glance across the room at a party, a spontaneous conversation at the coffee shop, or a serendipitous encounter on a subway ride. These moments felt authentic because they weren’t curated; they were driven by pure connection, chemistry, and the unpredictability of real life.

Today, however, technology, particularly dating apps and social media has dramatically reshaped the way we approach romance. Algorithms now determine who we meet, who we match with, and often even the nature of our interactions. We’re shown potential partners based on data: preferences, past swipes, profile engagement, and this can create a filter bubble where we only see people who align with our digital “type,” limiting the surprise and spontaneity that once defined real-life encounters. Even something like Instagram works on algorithms, fostering familiarity and deepening exposure to certain people, while other potential connections remain hidden.

While technology has certainly changed the who and how of our romantic encounters, I believe the why remains unchanged. We still seek deep, meaningful connections: relationships based on shared values, emotional resonance, and authenticity. However, most dating apps today prioritize speed, instant gratification, and surface-level attraction, leaving little room for the deeper emotional connections that people truly crave. This often results in shallow interactions, quick matches, and, unfortunately, a lot of burnout and frustration.

This is exactly why I created BlinDate: to rethink how technology can support, rather than diminish, authentic human connection. With BlinDate, we go beyond the typical algorithms that focus solely on compatibility or looks. Instead, we prioritize the emotional aspects of connecting with someone: values, beliefs, shared interests, and emotional intelligence. We allow people to engage more deeply, without rushing to judgment or reducing them to a swipe. Our platform is designed to create space for vulnerability, to encourage meaningful interaction, and ultimately, to slow down the process so that genuine emotional connections can develop naturally.

While technology undeniably shapes the way we meet and connect with others, we believe that BlinDate shows that it’s possible to use that technology to enhance authentic connection, not just surface-level interactions. We’re aiming to bring back the mystery and depth of love, allowing technology to support those aspects rather than overshadow them.

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(Ana Catarina) Do you think algorithms know us well enough to suggest an ideal partner, or does mystery still have its place? In the Black Mirror episode “Hang the DJ,” an AI system selects couples and predicts how long they should stay together. In the end, we learn it was all a simulation to test compatibility. Though fictional, the episode raises a real question: how far are we willing to trust machines with something as deeply human as love?

(Clyde Rempillo) I completely understand the concern raised in Black Mirror’s “Hang the DJ” episode, where an AI system predicts the longevity of relationships with unnerving accuracy. It presents a thought-provoking question: can we trust algorithms to choose our ideal partner, or do we still need the mystery and unpredictability that make love so real and human?

While algorithms today are incredibly adept at mapping our behaviors: analyzing our swipes, likes, and message patterns to suggest potential matches, they still can’t capture the full complexity of human connection. Yes, they can identify shared values, interests, and even things like communication styles, but they cannot, and should not eliminate the mystery that makes love so powerful. Love isn’t just about matching preferences or ensuring compatibility on paper; it’s about the unexpected moments that spark connection: those off-the-cuff jokes, the random adventures, the little moments of vulnerability that no algorithm can predict.

The Hang the DJ episode takes this idea to an extreme, imagining a world where AI predicts relationship success with near-perfect accuracy. While that might reduce mismatches and heartache in theory, it overlooks something fundamental: growth. True love and deep connections often come from the friction of encountering someone who challenges us, makes us think differently, or even surprises us. It’s the unpredictability of love that fosters personal transformation, and this is something that algorithms can’t always account for.

That’s exactly why I created BlinDate: to address this concern. We believe that love should never be reduced to mere data points. While we use algorithms to surface potential matches based on compatibility, we don’t shy away from differences; we embrace them. By analyzing not only where users align but also where they might differ, we ensure that the platform encourages real human connection, not just convenient matches. We want to make space for the risk, the surprises, and the growth that come from meeting someone who challenges your assumptions or introduces you to new experiences.

Ultimately, we believe that BlinDate offers the best of both worlds: using technology to help users find compatible matches while leaving room for the human curiosity, intuition, and emotional intelligence that make love truly transformative. So, while data-driven insights can point us in the right direction, we never want to lose sight of the unpredictable, messy, and beautiful mystery that makes love so uniquely human.

(Ana Catarina) What sets BlinDate apart from other apps when it comes to creating space for affection to truly grow?

(Clyde Rempillo) What truly sets BlinDate apart is how we use smart technology to help people form real, meaningful connections. While many dating apps focus on quick matches based on looks or first impressions, BlinDate takes a deeper approach by simulating relationships before they even happen. This helps users understand how their connection might evolve over time, giving affection the space to grow.

One of the standout features is digital twin dating. We create a “digital twin” for each user: a virtual version that simulates how they might interact with a match in different situations. For example, how they’d handle a disagreement or share a personal moment. This lets us offer more than just basic compatibility; we help people build connections that are rooted in real emotional understanding and growth.

Before we simulate relationships, we use MatchaCode, our unique matchmaking system, to analyze users’ personalities, interests, and behavior. This ensures that matches are based on more than just surface-level attraction. VisMatch then takes it a step further by looking at how users might feel visually attracted to each other, adding an extra layer to the matching process.

But we don’t stop at matchmaking. We know that a successful date isn’t just about finding the right person: it’s about creating the right experience. That’s where AIA, our AI assistant, comes in. AIA plans the entire date for users by selecting activities and locations tailored to their shared interests. It considers everything from where they like to hang out to what kind of atmosphere they enjoy. AIA even creates a smooth itinerary, making sure the date flows effortlessly from one activity to the next. Whether it’s a casual coffee shop, a nature walk, or a quirky museum, AIA ensures the experience is something both users will enjoy. And if plans change, AIA adjusts in real-time, keeping everything on track.

To help make the conversation flow smoothly, we’ve also added CuePid, an intelligent conversation prompter. CuePid suggests icebreakers and chat prompts to help users start meaningful conversations and avoid awkward silences, whether during and after the date.

Finally, we bring everything together with AIA, which offers ongoing support throughout the entire process. It can suggest thoughtful messages, predict emotional dynamics, and make sure that everything from the match to the date itself is as smooth, insightful, and enjoyable as possible.

By slowing down the match process and focusing on emotional depth and thoughtful planning, BlinDate helps users explore relationships in a more meaningful way. We’ve created a space where affection can grow, not just from initial attraction, but from a deeper emotional connection backed by smart technology that truly understands what people need.

(Ana Catarina) Artificial intelligence carries an aura of rationality. We often trust it to make better decisions than we can. Do you think we are entering an era of ‘datification,’ where the answer to human dilemmas, including love, is sought in data rather than in intuition? AI promises to optimize choices, reveal hidden patterns, and predict behaviors. But love has always been a terrain of uncertainty, intuition, and irrationality. Are we handing over to algorithmic logic decisions that once belonged to the realm of feeling? Do you think data is becoming the new dominant language of our time?

(Clyde Rempillo) Yes, we are undeniably entering an era of datification, where data and algorithms are increasingly shaping all aspects of our lives, love included. Artificial intelligence promises to optimize our choices, reveal hidden patterns, and predict behaviors with impressive accuracy. It offers the convenience of data-backed decisions, making us feel as though we can make better choices based on numbers and patterns rather than relying on our own instincts or intuition.

In the dating world, this plays out through algorithms that match us based on everything from preferences and behaviors to personality tests. Many dating apps claim they can predict compatibility and help us find the perfect match using data-driven suggestions. However, love has always been a much more complex and human experience: full of uncertainty, intuition, and, yes, even irrationality. The risk is that we begin to lean so heavily on these algorithms that we stop trusting our gut feelings or emotional cues; things that can’t be easily captured by data alone.

This is exactly why I wanted to create BlinDate: to ensure that intuition and emotional connection stay at the heart of forming meaningful relationships. BlinDate is different because we strip away the visual and superficial cues that other apps rely on, such as profile pictures or catchy bios. Instead, we encourage users to engage in meaningful in-person conversations, helping them connect based on who they are and how they communicate, rather than on data-driven suggestions alone.

We don’t believe that data should be ignored, but it shouldn’t replace the human element of love. BlinDate embraces technology to enhance the experience of getting to know someone, but it’s always about keeping the focus on emotional resonance and authentic connection. Data may be the dominant language of our time, but when it comes to love, it’s the irrational, intuitive, and unexpected moments that make the journey truly meaningful.

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(Ana Catarina) In the digital age, is love becoming more about “compatibility matches,” or does it still involve risk and human imperfection? A meeting between differences, between expectations and surprises. By prioritizing similarity, are algorithms protecting us too much from the unexpected? Are we forgetting the value of loving what we don’t fully understand?

(Clyde Rempillo) In today’s digital age, it’s clear that many dating apps prioritize compatibility matches, using algorithms to align people based on shared traits and preferences. While this might seem efficient, I agree with the concern that it could be taking too much of the risk and imperfection out of love. Love, at its core, is about embracing the unknown: the surprises, the differences, and the moments of growth that come from meeting someone who challenges you in unexpected ways. By focusing too much on similarity, we might be protecting ourselves from the very things that make relationships rich and transformative.

This concern was actually one of the driving forces behind the creation of BlinDate. I realized that by prioritizing only compatibility, many apps miss the potential for real emotional connection: connections that often come from navigating differences, confronting challenges, and embracing what we don’t fully understand. That’s why BlinDate doesn’t just focus on matching people based on shared traits. We also look at where they differ, and how those differences might play out in a relationship. Our approach is about more than just aligning preferences; it’s about making space for the risk, the friction, and the growth that comes from encountering someone new.

With BlinDate, we recognize that real love involves both compatibility and imperfection. Our platform was designed to give users the tools to navigate both by analyzing not only what they share but also how they might respond to each other’s differences, in a way that encourages meaningful exploration and connection.