Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian, two OG Internet founders and former rivals, have joined forces with the goal of using AI to restore humanity to social media. They have acquired Digg, a platform that Rose founded and Ohanian competed against as the founder of Reddit. Together, they aim to rejuvenate Digg by bringing back the sense of discovery and genuine community that defined the early days of the internet.
In the current landscape of social media, community interactions have become contentious and overwhelming. Digg’s upcoming relaunch plans to address this issue by leveraging the founders’ expertise and integrating AI technology to create a platform centered on humanity and connection. The new version of Digg will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
Digg was initially launched in 2004 with a unique crowdsourced voting system that allowed users to shape online trends by voting content up or down. At its peak, Digg attracted 40 million monthly visitors and was known as the “homepage of the internet.” Despite its success, Rose sold Digg in 2012, but now sees an opportunity to bring it back with a new vision.
Kevin Rose, Digg’s original founder, will take on the role of Board Chair, investor, and key advisor for the relaunched platform. He believes that AI can enhance user experience without replacing human conversation, making moderation more efficient and user interactions more meaningful. With Ohanian on board, they aim to evolve Digg into a trusted news source and discussion hub that prioritizes user control, transparency, and community ownership.
Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founder of Reddit and Founder & General Partner at Seven Seven Six, emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between technology and human judgment in online communities. Together, Rose and Ohanian are committed to building a better social platform that prioritizes user experience and community well-being. AI should handle the mundane tasks in the background so that humans can focus on what they excel at: creating genuine connections. No one aspires to spend their days chasing down spam or monitoring content – they want to innovate, engage, and cultivate thriving communities. I wholeheartedly support this direction.
With the support of True Ventures (known for backing companies like Fitbit, Peloton, Ring, BlueSky, and Blue Bottle Coffee) and Seven Seven Six (founded by Ohanian, and associated with Stoke Space, Mr. Beast Industries, Angel City FC, and Riverside), Digg is poised to differentiate itself by leveraging AI advancements to elevate user experiences and establish a human-centric platform. This alternative prioritizes transparency, recognizes human contributions, and fosters meaningful discussions. Collaborating with seasoned community managers and a dedicated team, Rose and Ohanian are committed to using AI to deliver a consistently engaging user journey. By adopting a mobile-first strategy, Digg aims to provide value to community managers and creators engaged on the platform.
Justin Mezzell, an experienced product design leader and long-time associate of Rose, will lead as CEO, bringing over 15 years of expertise in product design across various sectors. The Board of Directors will include Mezzell, Rose, Ohanian, and Tony Conrad from True Ventures.
In August 2024, Rose joined forces with former diggnation co-host Alex Albrecht to revive the show, resonating with an eager and nostalgic audience, signaling the perfect timing for a Digg revival. Together, they have released multiple episodes over the past six months and plan to continue this regular schedule.
To mark this new chapter, Rose and Albrecht will host a live episode of diggnation in Austin, TX on March 8, 2025, featuring special guest Tim Ferriss. Learn more about the event here.
ABOUT DIGG
Digg is a trailblazing digital media platform that curates and highlights the most captivating stories on the internet, simplifying users’ discovery, discussion, and sharing of trending news. With over 600,000 monthly viewers engaging with our intuitive interface to explore curated, high-quality content, Digg remains a prominent presence in the online community.
Media Contacts:
Chelsey Northern / The Untold
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Alana Battaglia / The Untold
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SOURCE Digg
In conclusion, Digg’s innovative approach to integrating AI into its platform, combined with a focus on enhancing user experiences and fostering authentic connections, sets it apart in the digital landscape. By embracing technology while prioritizing human engagement, Digg is poised to create a compelling and enriching online community. Stay tuned for more updates and engage with Digg to be part of this exciting journey.
