Reddit just turned 20 and is now adding artificial intelligence to improve how people find answers.
The site has launched a new feature called Reddit Answers that gives quick AI summaries to user questions. But unlike other AI tools, Reddit shows exactly where the answer came from, linking back to real Reddit posts made by real users.
Reddit’s Chief Technology Officer, Chris Slowe, said the new tool is working well. “If you want a short summary, it’s there. But if you want to learn more, you can dive deeper into the full discussion,” he said.
To keep Reddit trustworthy, the company is watching out for fake AI-generated comments. Reddit wants people to feel confident that what they are reading is written by real people. They are also using AI tools to help with moderation and keep the site safe for users.
Reddit is also earning money by selling its data to companies like Google and OpenAI to help train their AI tools. But the company warns against using its data without permission. Reddit has even filed a lawsuit against another AI company named Anthropic for using its content without a proper deal.
Even with growing competition from AI search tools, Reddit wants to stay true to what made it popular. Slowe said, “Let Reddit be Reddit.” The site still focuses on usernames, honest conversations, and community trust over real-world identity.
Reddit Turns 20 and Embraces AI While Staying True to Its Roots
