Reddit CEO Says the Platform Is the ‘Most Human Place on the Internet’

Reddit is working laborious to remain human within the AI era.

Within the firm’s fourth-quarter earnings name, CEO Steve Huffman mentioned that Reddit’s success lies in being a spot for authentic human conversation, not a platform flooded with bots.

“We’re now working in a essentially totally different web, one formed by opaque algorithms, generative content material, and rising mistrust,” Huffman mentioned on Thursday. “Reddit is probably the most human place on the web in a world flooded with AI slop.”

The CEO, who cofounded the social media firm in 2005, added, “On the finish of the day, Reddit is for people to speak to different people.”

That is why the platform is investing in authenticity, Huffman mentioned. The corporate has launched verified profiles and types within the fourth quarter and plans so as to add “bot verification” and labelling as a subsequent step.

“It does not imply we’ve to outlaw totally,” he mentioned about AI use on the platform. “It simply must be marked as what it’s as a result of there are occasions when it is useful.”

Reddit has rolled out a number of AI options since 2023, together with AI-powered search outcomes that summarize discussions and content material translation. It additionally makes use of AI to enhance content material suggestions and for advert focusing on.

The corporate reported fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday and beat analyst estimates for each income and revenue. Income for the quarter rose 70% 12 months on 12 months to $726 million, whereas internet revenue rose 255% to $252 million.

Reddit’s inventory rose 5% after hours on Thursday, however is down 34% thus far this 12 months, as a part of the broader sell-off in software program shares.