Buzzfeed has announced that they are building a new social media platform, currently known as 'BFisland', that is ‘designed to bring joy and creativity back to the internet.’
The new platform's aim will be to provide an alternative to current platforms ‘unchecked influence over the internet social media space Buzzfeed say is ‘fueled by misinformation, addiction, and negativity’.
Comprehensive details on just what the platform is exactly or how it will function are currently not publicly available however the focus will be on ‘human creativity and a reinvention of how content is created and shared.’
Jonah Peretti, founder and CEO of BuzzFeed expressed concern that current platforms have abandoned any responsibility to content and have instead handed control over to ‘deep learning algorithms that optimize for one thing: engagement at all costs.’
Read: AI Sound Editing in Oscar Contender "The Brutalist" Sparks Major Controversy
In a ‘manifesto’ posted by Peretti he states that he worries ‘AI takes away our human agency, devalues our labor, and creates social discord’ and that ‘our meaning, purpose, and agency has already been undermined by Artificial Intelligence technologies.’
However, Buzzfeed’s new platform ‘BFisland’ will incorporate some AI elements. Buzzfeed currently uses OpenAI’s technology in its quizzes and games. The new platform will be human curated but built on existing LLM models to ‘give users agency instead of stealing their agency.’
Read: Christie's Augmented Intelligence Auction Sparks Backlash on AI Art
Perriti derides the algorithm appeasing content that fills current social media feeds for its lack of real value. These content, he says, manufacture novelty, outrage and fear with the goal of increasing engagement about all else.
“The consumer isn't winning when they are addicted to a product that makes them unhappy.”
What is BFisland?
BFisland is an upcoming social media platform from Buzzfeed. It is designed to be an alternative to the current tech space, which BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti describes as being dominated by "SNARF" - content that thrives on Stakes, Novelty, Anger, Retention, and Fear.
BFisland will instead focus on creativity and joy. It aims to provide a more positive and less manipulative social media experience. The platform is being designed with AI assistance, though details on exactly how that will be implemented are still somewhat scarce.
Essentially, BuzzFeed is hoping to create a space that fosters genuine connection and creative expression that is more like the earlier days of the social internet. They say it wll act as ‘an oasis from algorithm-driven doomscrolling’.
How to use BFisland?
BFisland is not currently available for public use however you can sign up for ‘early access’.
- Visit the BFisland website.
- Type your email, country and phone number into the required fields.
- Click enter.
