As the world of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, Reddit has begun testing a new conversational AI feature on its platform. Dubbed "Reddit Answers," this innovative tool allows users to ask questions and receive curated summaries of relevant responses and threads across the platform.
A Response to the Rise of AI-Driven Chatbots
The introduction of Reddit Answers is a direct response to the growing popularity of AI-driven chatbots, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Perplexity. These platforms have become go-to destinations for users seeking quick and concise answers to their queries. By developing its own conversational AI feature, Reddit aims to better compete with these providers and provide users with a more seamless experience on the platform.
How Reddit Answers Works
When you ask a question through Reddit Answers, the tool will generate curated summaries of relevant responses and threads from across the platform. These summaries are presented in a concise and bulleted format, making it easy for users to quickly find the information they need. You can also read relevant snippets and answers inline from real users on the platform, open up full conversations, and deepen your search using either your own or suggested follow-up questions.
Example: Finding Tips for Better Sleep
For instance, if you ask, "What are some tips for better sleep," Reddit Answers will provide a curated summary of information provided by other Reddit users in a concise and bulleted format. If you scroll down, the tool will reference all of the different threads that it pulled information from to allow you to go in and explore those conversations on your own.
A New Way to Find Information on Reddit
In a blog post announcing the launch of Reddit Answers, the company states that this new feature gives users a new way to get "the information, recommendations, discussions, and hot takes" they are looking for from "real conversations and communities across all of Reddit." With Reddit Answers, users can easily find answers to their questions without having to sift through multiple threads and communities.
A Partnership with OpenAI and Google Cloud
Reddit has confirmed that the feature is powered by a combination of its own AI models and those provided by OpenAI and Google Cloud. This partnership will enable Reddit to tap into the vast capabilities of these external models, while also allowing the platform to develop its own unique conversational AI experiences.
A Limited Rollout
Reddit Answers is currently available to a limited number of users in the U.S. and is only accessible in English. However, the company plans to expand the feature to more countries in the future and add support for additional languages.
The Future of Search on Reddit
With the launch of Reddit Answers, the platform is taking a significant step towards improving its search experience. The introduction of AI-powered search result pages earlier this year marked another milestone in this journey, and Reddit’s use of AI to power translation and offer insights for brands has further solidified its commitment to innovation.
The Competition
As AI continues to transform the way we interact with online platforms, companies like Google are also investing heavily in conversational AI. With the rise of search engines that can surface information from Reddit users’ posts, it’s clear that the platform needs to adapt and innovate to remain competitive.
Conclusion
Reddit Answers marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the popular online forum site. By developing its own conversational AI feature, Reddit is able to provide users with a more seamless experience on the platform, while also staying ahead of the competition in the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence.