One late evening, while I was going through my grandparents’ old photo albums, I stumbled upon their wedding picture—a black and white photo, radiating a vintage charm. They were young, seemingly content, yet their eyes hinted at a certain formality, a seriousness that was common in arranged marriages of their era. This made me wonder: could we find better partners if AI or our parents helped us choose? I have always been the kind of person who loves to think about the elements of life and love. What was important, love, understanding, or mutual respect? Such thoughts always sent me down a contemplative rabbit trail of what relationships should be and how in the world one would go about getting a mate.
There were years in my life, back when I was younger, when it would seem the world was so big and full of mystery. The idea of that perfect someone kind of turned into something more like a big adventure waiting to happen. My parents would always narrate their love journey, how they met, and the struggles both had been through. It kind of instilled in me the feeling rather than interest that I wanted to know or hear about my future partner. They were talking about love as if it were some kind of airy carpet woven from threads of understanding, respect for each other, and unwavering support. Listening to them, I sometimes fully imagined: in this carpet of my life, what kind of person can be hammered? Who would be the one to complement my strengths and stand by me through my weaknesses?
The discovery of my grandparents' wedding picture that evening brought these reflections back to the forefront of my mind, but with a new angle—could there be merit in the way partners were chosen in the past? Could the involvement of AI or our parents in the selection process lead us to better matches than if we were left to navigate the turbulent waters of love and relationships on our own?
Arranged marriages go back thousands of years and are found in many Eastern cultures. They were made to create social, economic, and political relationships. Families chose partners, often based on social status and religion, instead of love. Elders and the community made the decision.
This tradition has slowly changed, especially in the West and modern East. Love marriages have become more common. People choose partners based on personal happiness, emotional connection, and mutual respect. Individuals decide who to marry.
Japan has an interesting way of matching partners. It's called "Omiai." Matchmaking agencies or AI-driven apps help find partners with compatible backgrounds and interests. This practice blends traditional values with modern-day relationship dynamics. It allows for a mix of parental guidance and individual choice.
So, think again can AI, our parents, or we ourselves make better choices for partners? AI and parental choices focus on compatibility, societal norms, and long-term practicality, which can help create a lasting relationship.