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Bumble for Friends — the platonic offshoot of Bumble — introduces a couple updates: AI-generated icebreakers, and a new way to organize group get-togethers.

Using AI chatbots to get dates isn't new, but now Bumble for Friends is incorporating the technology to help users get to know a potential pal. According to the press release, the "AI magic kicks in" once you connect with someone new.

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The AI assistant presents you and your match with an in-chat prompt in case you'd like help with your first message. If you do, tap "get started," and the AI will craft a personalized question based on the other person's profile. You can use the question as is, tweak it, request another one, or scrap it and write something yourself. You can only send one AI-generated icebreaker per chat, and it disappears once used; the feature is only available in English for now, as well.

Bumble for Friends introduced AI-generated conversation starters.Credit: Bumble for Friends

"A pain point we hear is the uncertainty of what to message a potential friend," said Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd in the press release. "By leveraging AI as an idea generator, we're not only jump-starting conversations but also speeding up the process of discovering if there's a true connection. In our early testing, we are seeing a percentage of our members choosing to use AI to help them break the ice."

Bumble for Friends is also launching a highly-requested feature to help arrange IRL meetups, called Plans. Now you can schedule hangouts up to 15 people, such as a book club or concert group. Plans seeks to solve the problem of meeting friends IRL and facilitating group activities whether if you're in a new area or just looking for some likeminded people.

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"When someone asks what your weekend plans are, and you don't have any, it can make you feel even lonelier. We want to eliminate that feeling and give members an easy way to enjoy fun plans with amazing people," Herd continued. "Plans is designed to be the bridge that brings online connections to life in the real world. It's about more than just meeting people; it's about forming deeper connections with those who share your interests."

Look for public Plans on Bumble for Friends and join a group chat once admitted.Credit: Bumble for Friends

Here's how it works: Any Bumble for Friends user can create a plan by tapping the Plans tab at the bottom of the app. Plans can be public or private; the former are discoverable in the Plans tab and any member can request to join, while the latter Plans are invite-only.

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Once admitted into the Plan, users join a group chat with everyone else to see the location details. You can share Plans by tapping the share icon in the top right side of the plan details screen. When someone clicks the link, they'll see an overview of the plan and a link to download the app if they haven't yet.

As of now, Bumble for Friends is available in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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