Artifact, the AI-powered news reading app created by the co-founders of Instagram, is evolving into a more social experience. The app has already introduced features such as profiles, commenting, and link sharing. Now, Artifact has enabled users to post their own content directly on the platform, without the need for a link. Co-founder Mike Krieger has acknowledged that this move towards user-generated content has similarities to Twitter, as it allows users to highlight stories and topics that people are discussing, similar to Twitter’s “watercooler-like experience.” However, Krieger does not see Artifact as a direct competitor to Twitter or other fast-breaking news apps. Instead, he envisions Artifact as a platform that surfaces interesting content, sparking community discussions and attracting users with broader and deeper interests beyond just news.
Krieger suggests that Artifact’s focus lies in connecting people with their interests, rather than solely delivering news. While the app initially intended to avoid using the word “news” in its title, Krieger admits that news content is central to Artifact’s offering. However, he believes that the long-term potential lies in catering to people’s broader and deeper interests. By building the right products and providing a space for meaningful connections, Artifact aims to become the next platform where users can engage with content that aligns with their passions and hobbies. In this way, the app could potentially compete with other social news apps like Flipboard, which curate and surface content based on users’ interests.
