Reddit’s AI Bot Problem: A Self-Inflicted Wound?

Reddit is facing a surge in AI-generated spam, and according to recent reports, the platform’s own policies may be to blame. CEO Steve Huffman acknowledges an “arms race” against these bots, but the root cause appears to be Reddit’s decision to sell user data for AI training purposes.

The $60 Million Deal That Backfired

Last year, Reddit struck a $60 million deal, reportedly with Google, granting access to user posts for AI model training. To protect this agreement, Reddit restricted access for other companies, impacting web crawlers and potentially fostering an environment ripe for exploitation.

Gaming the System: AI Spam on the Rise

The problem? Companies are now attempting to influence chatbot results by flooding Reddit with AI-generated content. The goal is for their brands to be prominently featured when chatbots regurgitate information sourced from Reddit. Huffman confirmed that companies are indeed using AI bots to create fake posts, hoping to influence AI outputs.

“For 20 years, we’ve been fighting people who have wanted to be popular on Reddit,” Huffman stated. Now, the battleground has shifted to Large Language Models (LLMs), with companies seeking to insert themselves into AI-generated content through Reddit.

Multiple advertising executives have confirmed that they are actively “posting content on Reddit to boost the likelihood of their ads appearing in the responses of generative AI chatbots,” according to the Financial Times.

Reddit’s Response: An Ongoing Battle

Huffman emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between content “written by humans and voted on by humans.” Reddit is exploring new methods for bot detection, including technologies like OpenAI’s World ID eyeball-scanning device.

The Takeaway: A Problem of Reddit’s Own Making

Reddit users have already expressed concerns about the sale of their posts for AI training. The revelation that this very deal is contributing to the platform’s spambot problem is likely to exacerbate user frustration. This situation highlights the potential unintended consequences of monetizing user data and the challenges of maintaining platform integrity in the age of AI.

Source: 9to5Mac