WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: Bumble Plans a New AI Dating App

Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Julie Chang, The Wall Street Journal

Episode Overview

This Tech Minute episode delivers a concise roundup of major technology news. The highlight is Bumble’s plan for a new AI-powered dating app, with additional coverage on PepsiCo’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) fleet and BYD’s financial results in the Chinese EV market.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Bumble’s New AI Dating App

[00:16 – 00:55]

• Exclusive Reveal:
  The Wall Street Journal exclusively reports that Bumble is developing an entirely new dating app powered by artificial intelligence.
• Leadership and Development:
  Julie Chang shares:

  “CEO Whitney Wolfhard tells us she and a team at Bumble have consulted psychologists and relationship counselors to program a matchmaking AI.”
  (Julie Chang, 00:20)

• Technology and Launch:
  • The app will be built as a large language model (LLM), a step beyond traditional matching algorithms.
  • Scheduled beta release this fall for select users.
  • Will be a separate product from the current Bumble app.
• Monetization Unclear:
  • The company is still experimenting with ways to generate revenue:

    “One possibility: users might have to pay for each match.”
    (Julie Chang, 00:39)

2. PepsiCo’s Zero Emission Truck Expansion

[00:55 – 01:24]

• Business Case for EVs:
  PepsiCo’s Director of Fleet Engineering and Sustainability underscores the ongoing value of zero-emission trucks despite operational challenges.
• Fleet Details:
  • Over 1,750 electric vehicles in the company’s fleet.
  • More than 100 are battery-powered electric semi-trucks.
  • Electric trucks used for “last mile and regional distribution” and, increasingly, for longer routes as battery technology improves.
• Quote on Technology Progress:
  Julie Chang summarizes:

  “…better technology has helped the trucks get into longer distance routes.”
  (Julie Chang, 01:13)

3. BYD’s First-Half Profit Rise and Market Concerns

[01:24 – 01:54]

• Strong First Half:
  • BYD, China’s large EV manufacturer, reported first-half net profit up 14% to $2.18 billion.
  • Revenue increased by 23% year-over-year.
• Short-Term Concerns:
  • Second-quarter revenue and profit missed analyst forecasts.
  • Ongoing worries persist about BYD’s ability to meet its full-year sales target after underwhelming sales last month.
  • Context provided by Julie Chang:

    “Results come amid concerns over BYD's ability to hit its full year sales goal after weaker than expected sales last month.”
    (Julie Chang, 01:50)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “CEO Whitney Wolfhard tells us she and a team at Bumble have consulted psychologists and relationship counselors to program a matchmaking AI.”
  (Julie Chang, 00:20)
• “One possibility: users might have to pay for each match.”
  (Julie Chang, 00:39)
• “Better technology has helped the trucks get into longer distance routes.”
  (Julie Chang, 01:13)
• “Results come amid concerns over BYD's ability to hit its full year sales goal after weaker than expected sales last month.”
  (Julie Chang, 01:50)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:16 – Start of Tech Minute and Bumble AI dating app news
• 00:55 – PepsiCo’s growing electric vehicle fleet and business rationale
• 01:24 – BYD’s profit report and market concerns
• 01:54 – Brief note on upcoming schedule (Labor Day)

Summary

This episode spotlights Bumble’s ambitious move into AI-fueled matchmaking with expert input from relationship professionals, a milestone for the popular dating platform. It also covers significant trends in electric vehicles, highlighting PepsiCo’s adoption of EV truck fleets and BYD’s profitability amidst market uncertainties. The update provides a succinct yet rich digest of the day’s top tech business stories.