That, according to Rohit Talwar, CEO of Fast Future, is the shape of things to come.

“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs;
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;
Being vex'd a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears:
What is it else? a madness most discreet,
A choking gall and a preserving sweet.” - Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare.

Talwar said: “Our health, attitudes, behaviours – on and off-line – combined with our communication styles, likes, dislikes, desires and dreams will enable a constantly updated profile, automatically matched to other app subscribers to save time on scanning and swiping profiles.”

AI will not only match people, but, according to Talwar, “will learn about our dreams and desires”. It will match people, it appears, only if they are on social media and online, with vast server farms harvesting stuff we've put up there to suggest suitable partners and also to give you a clue when you meet up what to say.

So, does this spell the end of romance?

We wanted to ask Rohit that question but he was spirited away by the Huawei moderator of the press conference in Grape Street, WC2 – that's Holborn.

Isn't this the 21st century equivalent of arranged marriages? If you want to meet the right or the wrong person and fall in love, I'd suggest you avoid social media.

But it might all end in tears, a bit like the fictional Juliet and Romeo.

[image courtesy of Wikipedia]