LAHORE – Reddit is testing a new way to consume its traditionally text-based discussions by turning selected posts into audio and short-form videos narrated by artificial intelligence voices.
The company said the feature is a limited experiment involving a small number of posts from selected communities. Users can choose to read the original discussion or use its audio or video version.
The original posts and comments remain unchanged.
Reddit posts can become videos
In one example, Reddit converted an eight-year-old discussion from the r/boardgames community about road-trip games for adults into a video lasting about three minutes.
AI-generated voices narrate the original question and selected replies. The related text is displayed on screen, while Reddit labels the format as a “Real conversation voiced by AI”.
Reddit is currently selecting the posts that receive the treatment. Users cannot yet generate an audio or video version of any post themselves.
The experiment is available on the web and is also being rolled out through Reddit’s iOS and Android apps.
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Reddit wants users to listen to discussions
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman previewed the idea during the company’s second-quarter earnings call in July.
Huffman pointed to the popularity of videos and podcast-style content on other platforms that feature people reading Reddit stories and comments aloud.
Reddit’s experiment could make lengthy discussions easier to consume while users are commuting, exercising or carrying out other activities.
The company is also testing whether users prefer listening to or watching discussions rather than reading long comment threads.
Reddit expands its video features
The experiment follows Reddit’s introduction of video comments in June. The feature allows users to record or upload videos directly into eligible comment sections.
Those video replies can be viewed through a full-screen player, giving Reddit a more video-focused experience.
The new AI audio and video experiment marks another step in Reddit’s efforts to expand beyond its traditional text-based format.
For now, the feature remains limited. Reddit says the test will help determine whether users find the new formats useful while preserving the original discussion and the platform’s conversational nature.
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Key points:
- Reddit is testing AI-generated audio and short-form videos for selected posts.
- AI voices narrate original discussions and selected replies.
- The experiment is limited to certain posts and communities.
- Reddit users can choose between reading a discussion or listening to its audio or watching its video version.
- The company is exploring new ways to make its text-based content easier to consume.
