A New Way to 'Play' Reddit
Reddit has begun a limited experiment that introduces AI-generated audio and video versions of selected posts. Users on the web, iOS, and Android may see a new toggle on certain posts, allowing them to switch from the traditional “Read” view to a “Play”
mode. Activating this mode launches a portrait-oriented video, similar in style to TikTok or YouTube Shorts, where AI-generated voices narrate the original post and a selection of top comments. As the voices speak, the corresponding text is highlighted on screen, creating a karaoke-like effect. This feature is initially being rolled out for manually selected, English-language posts in specific communities.
Transparency and Technology
Reddit is making a point to be transparent about the use of artificial intelligence. Each video and audio clip is clearly marked with the label: “Real conversation voiced by AI.” This ensures users know that while the words come from real people, the voices are synthetically generated. While the company has not detailed the specific AI models in use, a Reddit spokesperson described the experiment as using “multi-voice text-to-speech, subtitles, and visual templates” to bring conversations to life. This move comes after Reddit previously partnered with companies like OpenAI to train AI models on its vast archive of human conversations, signaling a deeper integration of AI into its core product.
Chasing the Video Wave
The strategic motivation behind this experiment is clear: Reddit wants to capture a slice of the massive audience that consumes its content passively. For years, third-party creators on platforms like TikTok and YouTube have found success by narrating interesting Reddit threads, often pairing the audio with unrelated video game footage. These videos garner millions of views, and until now, Reddit has not directly participated in or monetized this trend. CEO Steve Huffman acknowledged this during a recent earnings call, noting the rise of “podcasts where people read Reddit content.” By creating its own native video and audio formats, Reddit aims to reclaim this engagement, keeping users on its platform longer and potentially opening up new advertising avenues.
Accessibility and User Experience
Beyond the business strategy, Reddit is framing the new feature as a win for accessibility and user flexibility. The company stated that the goal is to allow people to engage with Reddit content while exercising, commuting, or doing errands—times when reading is not feasible. It provides an alternative for visually impaired users and those who simply prefer listening to reading. This aligns with other recent feature additions, such as video comments, which now reportedly account for over 10% of all video posts on the platform. However, the experiment also raises questions about the user experience, such as how the AI will handle mispronunciations of slang or usernames and whether users will have any control over their posts being narrated.
The Future of Authentic Conversations
This experiment represents a significant evolution for a platform built on the authenticity of text-based, human-to-human interaction. By transforming user comments into slick, AI-narrated videos, Reddit is walking a fine line between innovation and potentially diluting the core experience that has defined it for over two decades. The success of this feature will depend on whether users find it genuinely useful or see it as an intrusion. It also signals a broader trend where user-generated content archives are being repurposed with AI to compete in the fast-paced, video-dominated media landscape. The key will be whether Reddit can scale this feature while preserving the unique community feel that makes its content valuable in the first place.
