Haliey Welch, affectionately known as the “Hawk Tuah girl,” has ventured into the tech world with the launch of her AI-powered dating advice app, Pookie Tools. Named after the nickname she has for her boyfriend, this app aims to provide Gen Z singles with a solution to the common frustrations of modern dating.
Welch, a 22-year-old sensation who garnered approximately 5 million followers on social media, has previously hosted a successful podcast titled “Talk Tuah.” With her latest endeavor, she plans to merge her online fame with technology by offering unique dating advice tools. Pookie Tools became available on the App Store this week and includes a variety of features tailored specifically for young daters looking for an edge in their romantic lives.
Features designed for modern daters
Pookie Tools encompasses several features aimed at enhancing the dating experience. The app boasts an AI chatbot designed to assist users with conversation starters and general dating advice. Furthermore, it provides outfit recommendations suitable for different date scenarios, offers tips to enhance dating profiles, and even includes a zodiac compatibility feature.
This app arrives at a time when online dating often faces criticism for issues like ghosting and the prevalence of scams. Many users have started turning to AI for dating advice, utilizing tools such as ChatGPT to generate entire conversations. Industry giants like Bumble and Tinder have also recognized this trend and are integrating AI features into their platforms.
Welch shared insights about her project during an interview with TechCrunch, stating, “I [was on] Bill Maher’s podcast, and it was actually one of his ideas he gave me. He kind of pushed me, in a way, saying I should be a relationship coach. And so we came up with the idea. … This app is the easiest way for them to find their forever Pookie.”
To develop Pookie Tools, Welch formed a partnership with Ben Ganz, the founder of Ultimate AI Studio, known for its AI customer support automation solutions. While the concept of an AI-driven relationship coach sounds promising, early testing of the chatbot has revealed responses that may come off as generic, lacking Welch’s signature humor and personality.
The app aims to offer a fun and innovative approach to navigating the realm of dating and relationships. Key features include suggestions for creative date ideas based on the user’s location and previous interactions, as well as outfit recommendations for various dating occasions. The app also analyzes dating profiles to provide feedback on engaging prompts or profile pictures that showcase personality. One interesting tool, the “Flirt Meter,” assesses users’ text messages and scores them on a scale of 0 to 100 for flirtation levels.
Pookie Tools takes a bold approach
Amidst its array of user-friendly features, Pookie Tools includes what some may find controversial: the “Bald Predictor” and “Height Detector.” The Bald Predictor analyzes user-uploaded photos to detect patterns of hair loss, while the Height Detector estimates height based on proportions and surroundings. These tools address frustrations from users about misrepresentations often encountered on dating profiles.
While Welch asserts that these playful tools are meant to be lighthearted—mentioning her own stature as a 5’8” woman who appreciates the height detector—concerns about their potential for insensitivity remain.
Early tests revealed that the Height Detector displayed mixed accuracy results but proved fairly close; one example was just 2 inches off from the user’s actual height. The Bald Predictor, however, struggled to make accurate assessments, indicating that while technology can assist, it still has limitations.
Welch and Ganz envision adding further features in collaboration with podcast guests and other influencers, yet specifics on what these features will entail have not been disclosed. Given that notable figures like Holly Madison and Whitney Cummings have appeared on “Talk Tuah,” their involvement may help expand the app’s user base.
Pookie Tools operates on a subscription model, pricing itself at $7 per week or $50 annually, with a three-day free trial available for potential users looking to test the waters before diving in.
Haliey Welch’s transition from viral content creator to tech entrepreneur highlights a shifting landscape where influencers are exploring new avenues in response to audience engagement and trends in the dating world. With Pookie Tools, she aims to blend humor and technology, offering a fresh approach to modern dating dilemmas.
Featured image credit: Tim & Dee TV/Unsplash
