Social information and dialogue web site Reddit is increasing its partnership with tech big Google, the corporate stated on Thursday. Reddit stated the deal—which is able to give Google entry to almost twenty years of user-generated content material—will make it simpler “to find and entry the communities and conversations individuals are searching for on Reddit.”
Final week, Bloomberg reported that Reddit signed a contract with an undisclosed AI developer for a deal value $60 million. Right now’s announcement confirms hypothesis that the corporate in query was Google.
I discussed yesterday that Google’s finest technique for sustaining AI dominance will likely be utilizing its deep pockets to lock down sources of coaching knowledge.
We’ve now realized Reddit has signed a $60M/yr deal to offer its knowledge to an unnamed AI firm. Key query is that if unique? pic.twitter.com/U3wGynmXnS
— Dare Obasanjo🐀 (@Carnage4Life) February 17, 2024
“By making Reddit content material and communities simpler to search out, we’re in a position to uphold our perception within the open web whereas higher serving present customers and reaching new audiences,” Reddit stated. “All of this builds on our present partnership with Google Cloud to combine new AI-powered capabilities to enhance Reddit and assist obtain our mission of bringing neighborhood, belonging, and empowerment to everybody on the earth.”
In response to Reddit, Google positive factors entry to the library of present content material on Reddit and permits Google to make use of the Reddit Knowledge API to enhance its services and products.
“With the Reddit Knowledge API, Google will now have environment friendly and structured entry to more energizing data,” Google stated in a press launch. “In addition to enhanced indicators that can assist us higher perceive Reddit content material and show, practice on, and in any other case use it in essentially the most correct and related methods.”
For its half, Google stated Reddit will, in flip, get entry to its Vertex AI for enhanced search and “different capabilities.”
Launched in 2021, Vertex AI is part of Google’s suite of cloud computing providers that lets builders practice and deploy personalized AI purposes and fashions.
Reddit customers had been combined on the information however principally screwed in direction of a damaging view of the implications of Google getting access to Reddit’s person content material.
“Given the power to filter sure subreddits out, Reddit could provide a better high quality dataset than YouTube in case your purpose is to tune the AI to a sure POV,” Reddit person u/WayOverPaid commented. “Some subreddits are rather more closely moderated than others.
“There is no means Google goes to dump all of Reddit into an AI, besides as a primary go to see how dangerous it’s,” the person quipped.
This remark was echoed by others who stated Google would have its arms full purging problematic content material gleaned from Reddit.
“So, Google AI will likely be skilled on YouTube and Reddit?”requested u/REOreddit. “Effectively, I actually do not envy the people who must work on making the ensuing AI mannequin not poisonous.”
The $60 million AI deal comes as Reddit is reportedly eyeing an preliminary public providing (IPO) within the close to future. Citing folks conversant in the matter, Reuters reported that the social media platform is seeking to go public someday in March 2024—lengthy after first submitting an utility for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Trade Fee in 2021.
