BuzzFeed, the American digital media company, is introducing a suite of artificial intelligence-powered social applications as part of a broader effort to reinvent its business model, announcing the products at the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas.
Jonah Peretti, the company’s co-founder and CEO, presented the initiative as a step to adapt to the changing media landscape and announced a new spinoff venture called Branch Office that will focus on consumer AI products centered around creativity and online interactions.
The move follows years of AI experimentation at BuzzFeed, which has sought to integrate new technology into its content and product offerings. During the presentation, company representatives demonstrated a series of new applications aimed at driving user engagement through AI-generated content and social interactions.
One of the applications, known as BF Island, is designed as a group chat platform with built-in AI-based image editing tools. The app also features a curated library of internet trends and memes aimed at guiding users in creating content that reflects the rapidly evolving online culture.
The second application, Conjure, encourages users to take a photo every day based on prompts generated within the app. This format differs from previous social media platforms such as BeReal in that it focuses on abstract or thematic images rather than self-portraits. Company representatives said AI plays a role in shaping the experience, including elements that are said to guide the app’s creative direction.
BuzzFeed also introduced Quiz Party, a social application that allows users to collaboratively take quizzes and share their results with friends. It builds on one of the company’s long-standing content formats.
The announcement comes at a difficult time for BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed recently signaled uncertainty in its financial position and said it was considering strategic options to address liquidity concerns. The company reported a net loss of $57.3 million last year and said it would prioritize investment in intellectual property development and AI-driven products.
