UAE: Can AI help you find a spouse? New matchmaking platform offers love starting Dh1,099
Traditionally, finding the right partner would start with family meetings and home discussions. Now, a licensed company can do it all for you with the use of AI technology through what is termed their “electronic compatibility system”.
This system helps users find life partners who match their preferences and desires by answering 80 to 90 percent of the questions. They also guaranteed privacy and confidentiality in respect to Emirati Islamic traditions.
Most families and singles rely on their social networks as a starting point, making the concept of these programs rather foreign. Once options are exhausted, some turn to specialty marriage programs, which tend to be more lenient with sharing personal information like data, photographs, and phone numbers, but only for serious marriage prospects.
If people do not agree, then they are considered to choose someone else which diminishes the likelihood of actually getting married the more the head of the family remains unaware. Those who experience emotional exploitation, particularly women who wish to marry without subjecting themselves to the scrutiny of familial oversight, who face soaring rates of postponed nuptials from societies, this is nothing short of utter folly.
For this reason, some citizens of the emirates created licensed intermediary companies for marriages, noting that only citizens of the UAE can get these business licenses.
How it works
Shariki, which is located in Ras Al Kaimah, has developed a platform center’s services to analyze subscribers data of users registering on the site. After filling out the form, users indicate their preferences for a spouse. The team calculates the maximum compatibility rate, followed by confirmation of both parties and verbal agreement. After reached mutual agreement, each partner logs into their page and clicks “electronic approval” button to indicate acceptance and proceed with the required legal formalities.
The platform utilizes specific algorithms designed to analyze data of applicants and identify the most optimal match. Afterwards, formal viewing (the ‘legal meeting’) is conducted at the premises of the bride’s family home with full preservation of privacy and custom.
The subscription fee for this service is Dh 1099. This includes 4 attempts of electronic divorce compatibility attempts and limitless duration validity of the profile.
The office places special importance on confidentiality. Personal information is provided strictly according to lawful contract executed by all participants of the agreement.
“Bu Nahyan, founder of Shariki office for marriage services said. After obtaining the necessary approvals from relevant authorities, our office was officially opened in Ras Al Khaimah, alongside the programme launch via our website. Operating this activity requires registration with the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Development Department and approval from the Community Services Department at Ras Al Khaimah Courts, The official body responsible for regulating and licensing marriage intermediaries.”
He further added that everyone on the platform is treated solely on the basis of data they input in the system and that strict emirati islamic social customs and privacy safeguards are essential along with other AI based matching protocols. The platform is accessible exclusively to residents and citizens of the United Arab Emirates.
Even though the community adheres to conservative customs, limited social networks alongside growing societal problems have driven some people to unlicensed applications where individuals share their photographs along with their contact details without any form of parental supervision. The lack of restraint entails interactions that flout social barriers. Therefore, the demand for well administered organized orderly solutions emerged.
“Nowadays, it’s more difficult to socially match grooms and brides using neighbors and community networks, grooms and brides tend to be reserved; people are more closed off. In addition, those who live around them often do not know whether there is a suitable bride living nearby,” said Bu Nahyan.
‘Be careful’
Bu Nahyan recognizes challenges that are present but noted that the drive to modernize service is prioritized which is particularly concerning given the lack of oversight of some traditional marriage offices which can result in client exploitation through fraud or deceptive advertising.
Conversely, there are socially and religiously unacceptable actions, such as “fake proposals”, that require payment alongside socially and religiously inappropriate behavior.
Also, false marriage brokers on social media are a growing issue that Sharjah Police have warned the public about. Participants usually pay a deposit and later realize they have been scammed. The Sharjah Police General Command has issued an alert, advising the use of official channels and suggesting reporting attempted fraud to appropriate authorities.
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