--- title: "Reddit launches experiment: text posts turn into videos and podcasts with AI" description: "Reddit has launched an experiment to turn text posts into videos and audio using AI. The technology reads posts and comments, but is currently only available in the web version and has limitations." date: 2026-08-19T00:18:38.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/reddit-launches-ai-video-podcast-experiment tags: [reddit, artificial-intelligence, social-media, video-content, technology] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Reddit launches experiment: text posts turn into videos and podcasts with AI ![Smartphone displaying the Reddit app on screen, showcasing the launch of an experiment to convert text posts into videos and podcasts using AI](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/19/reddit-ii-video-podkasty-eksperiment/reddit-ii-video-podkasty-eksperiment-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Reddit is testing the conversion of text posts into video and audio using AI. - The original text remains available, but a video recording with voiceover appears. - The experiment is currently only available in the web version; mobile apps will update later. - Management sees this as a way to expand the audience and monetization. ### New content consumption format: from text to audio and video In August 2026, the administration of one of the world's largest social platforms, Reddit, announced the launch of a large-scale experiment aimed at changing the usual way users interact with content. As part of the initiative, text posts on the site will be automatically transformed into audio and video formats. This decision is driven by the company's desire to "reimagine the ways of interacting, sharing, and consuming content," as stated in the corporation's latest financial report. The essence of the innovation lies in the use of generative artificial intelligence models. Special algorithms analyze the text of the main post and select key comments, after which they synthesize a realistic voice to read this material. The result is a video clip that appears instead of the usual text label under the post. It is important to note that the original text format remains available to users who prefer reading over watching or listening. ### Technical details and limitations of the experiment At the current testing stage, the functionality is available exclusively in the web version of the service. However, according to the developers' plans, new tools will soon appear in mobile applications for Apple iOS and Google Android operating systems. This will be an important step for expanding the audience, as mobile users often prefer consuming content "on the go". A key feature of the current stage is manual content selection. The portal's editorial team manually selects posts that are then converted into video clips. A company representative, speaking to The Verge, emphasized that this is an "early, limited experiment" aimed at understanding how useful these formats are for people and how to present them in a way that looks authentic for Reddit. Under each generated video, there is a mandatory note stating that this is a real discussion voiced by artificial intelligence. ### Contradictory data Despite the optimistic statements from the management, the introduction of AI formats is associated with a number of technical and ethical risks that are causing controversy in the community. On the one hand, company head Steve Huffman expressed confidence to investors that new types of content "can be very engaging" and promise the ability to listen to posts in the background. On the other hand, critics point out the inevitable shortcomings of the technology: AI may mistakenly choose the least important comments for voiceover, distorting the essence of the discussion, or mispronounce specific terms and proper names. Furthermore, against the backdrop of news about the introduction of AI voices, discussions about user verification have flared up again in the Reddit community. Earlier, at the beginning of 2026, the platform considered introducing ID verification due to an influx of bots. Now, when the content itself can be generated by a machine, the question of where human opinion ends and algorithmic imitation begins becomes even more acute. For now, the company is betting on transparency, clearly marking generated content. ### Strategic prospects and impact on the market Reddit's move is part of a global trend to convert static content into dynamic content. In a situation where user attention is becoming a scarce resource, the ability to turn long text into a short video or podcast opens new horizons for monetization and engagement. According to company representatives, over time, the number of publications in the new format will grow, which could radically change the structure of the news feed on the platform. Experts note that if the experiment is successful, it could set a precedent for other social networks and news aggregators. The ability to listen to posts in the background, hinted at by Steve Huffman, effectively turns Reddit into a competitor for classic podcast platforms, while using a huge array of user-generated content. However, the success of this strategy will depend on whether the platform can maintain a balance between automation and the quality of human communication, which is why users come to the forum. ## πŸ” Fact-Check Verification - [Reddit begins using AI to turn posts into podcasts and short videos window-new](https://3dnews.ru/1147000/reddit-nachal-s-pomoshchyu-ii-prevrashchat-posti-v-podkasti-i-korotkie-video) - Основной источник ΠΈΠ½Ρ„ΠΎΡ€ΠΌΠ°Ρ†ΠΈΠΈ ΠΎ запускС экспСримСнта, Ρ†ΠΈΡ‚Π°Ρ‚Ρ‹ Π‘Ρ‚ΠΈΠ²Π° Π₯Π°Ρ„Ρ„ΠΌΠ°Π½Π° ΠΈ тСхничСскиС Π΄Π΅Ρ‚Π°Π»ΠΈ. - [AI bots annoy Reddit: platform wants to introduce user ID verification](https://itc.ua/news/yy-boty-dostaly-reddit-platforma-hochet-vvesty-id-veryfykatsyyu-polzovatelej/) - ΠŸΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π΅Π½ΠΎ ΠΏΠΎ источнику itc.ua - [Reddit gains popularity: what is this platform and why is AI search promoting it](https://ru.euronews.com/next/2026/02/28/reddit-on-the-rise-what-is-it-and-why-is-ai-search-popularising-it) - ΠŸΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π΅Π½ΠΎ ΠΏΠΎ источнику ru.euronews.com - [Reddit is flooded with spam about dubious medical procedures that is broadcast into AI search...](https://3dnews.ru/1143027/reddit-zahlestnul-spam-s-opisaniem-somnitelnih-meditsinskih-protsedur-kotoriy-transliruetsya-v-iipoisk-google) - Основной источник ΠΈΠ½Ρ„ΠΎΡ€ΠΌΠ°Ρ†ΠΈΠΈ ΠΎ запускС экспСримСнта, Ρ†ΠΈΡ‚Π°Ρ‚Ρ‹ Π‘Ρ‚ΠΈΠ²Π° Π₯Π°Ρ„Ρ„ΠΌΠ°Π½Π° ΠΈ тСхничСскиС Π΄Π΅Ρ‚Π°Π»ΠΈ. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: How does the new format work on Reddit? **A:** Artificial intelligence reads the text of the post and selected comments, creating a video clip that is displayed under the post. ### Q: Can I still read posts in text form? **A:** Yes, the ability to read the post in its original form remains; the new format is an addition. ### Q: Is the function available in mobile apps? **A:** For now, the experiment is only available in the web version, but it will soon appear in apps for iOS and Android.