Social information and dialogue web site Reddit is increasing its partnership with tech big Google, the corporate mentioned on Thursday. Reddit mentioned the deal—which is able to give Google entry to almost 20 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. Immediately’s announcement confirms hypothesis that the corporate in query was Google.
I discussed yesterday that Google’s greatest technique for sustaining AI dominance will likely be utilizing its deep pockets to lock down sources of coaching information.
We’ve now discovered Reddit has signed a $60M/12 months deal to offer its information 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 mentioned. “All of this builds on our current partnership with Google Cloud to combine new AI-powered capabilities to enhance Reddit and assist obtain our mission of bringing group, belonging, and empowerment to everybody on this planet.”
Based on Reddit, Google features entry to the library of current content material on Reddit and permits Google to make use of the Reddit Information API to enhance its services.
“With the Reddit Information API, Google will now have environment friendly and structured entry to brisker info,” Google mentioned in a press launch. “In addition to enhanced indicators that may 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 mentioned 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 custom-made AI functions and fashions.
Reddit customers have been blended on the information however largely screwed in the direction of a unfavorable view of the implications of Google having access to Reddit’s consumer content material.
“Given the power to filter sure subreddits out, Reddit could supply the next high quality dataset than YouTube in case your objective is to tune the AI to a sure POV,” Reddit consumer u/WayOverPaid commented. “Some subreddits are rather more closely moderated than others.
“There is not any method Google goes to dump all of Reddit into an AI, besides as a primary go to see how unhealthy it’s,” the consumer quipped.
This remark was echoed by others who mentioned Google would have its fingers full purging problematic content material gleaned from Reddit.
“So, Google AI will likely be educated on YouTube and Reddit?”requested u/REOreddit. “Effectively, I definitely do not envy the those that should 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 aware of the matter, Reuters reported that the social media platform is seeking to go public someday in March 2024—lengthy after first submitting an software for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Trade Fee in 2021.