You must have used Microsoft Copilot, Google Bard (now Gemini), or OpenAI ChatGPT. All these are examples of generative AI based on large language models trained on troves of data. In the latest development, Google has partnered with Reddit to get access to its treasure of data for AI training. The agreement is estimated to cost Google $60 million annually and seems like this announcement came as Google looks forward to deepening the partnership.
For the unversed, AI tools are only as good as the data they are trained on. Thus, AI companies are always on the lookout to find large swaths of data streams that can be used for AI training. Reddit offers an insane amount of user-generated and real-time data that Google can use to train its LLM models and make them better with successive iterations.
We learned about Reddit’s partnership a few days ago when an “unnamed large AI company” was reportedly in talks with the social media aggregator. Google formally announced its agreement to access Reddit’s API to get hold of the wealth that it can use to train its AI models to the next level.
Google is reportedly already accessing Reddit users’ posts and comments as the announcement mentioned Google is looking forward to ‘deepening partnership’ with Reddit. On the other hand, the social media aggregator has had its share of controversies that resulted in third-party Reddit clients going out of business last year. ChatGPT’s OpenAI reportedly reached out to Reddit with an agreement value of $5 million, however, things didn’t work out.
This is around the same time Reddit’s CEO said they understand the value of their. They won’t provide the data to large companies for free. Interestingly, Google roped in Reddit with an insane $60 million value annually. This has perhaps raised eyebrows among users and other stakeholders since Google can potentially access and use their data.
Reddit is undergoing an initial public offering (IPO) soon. Reports suggest it can go for an IPO next month offering 10% of its $10 billion company to the public investors. It remains to be seen how the latest development between Reddit and Google for AI training works out once the IPO is out.
On the other hand, Google will continue to replenish with troves of data that it will utilize to enhance its AI tools including the developer-friendly Vertex AI among others.
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