BuzzFeed spins up “AI slop” apps as revenue lifeline.
The company launches BF Island and Conjure amid studio reboot.
Austin demo prompts silence, skepticism, and polite giggles.
BuzzFeed launches quirky AI photo apps to attract new users.
Austin, TX: BuzzFeed’s CEO Jonah Peretti shared new plans at a big tech conference in Austin. The company started a spin-off named Branch Office to make fun apps using artificial intelligence. They want people to use these apps to create and connect.
BuzzFeed showed two new apps to the crowd. One is called BF Island and lets friends edit pictures together. The other, Conjure, is like taking daily photos but getting fun ideas for what to snap. In one demo, the app said “What lies between trees and the moon?” Users took photos of the night sky.
Image Credits: SXSW
Peretti says faster software lets companies keep people interested.
But the tech-savvy crowd felt confused. One person asked how these apps will keep people using them, since apps like BeReal lose users after the fun wears off. Peretti said new software can be quickly improved, so updates will keep things fresh.
BuzzFeed lost money last year and faces cash problems. The reaction at the conference makes it look tough to win back users.