Once a prevailing link sharing platform of the mid-2000s, Digg is poised for another revival. Kevin Rose, one of its co-founders, has successfully secured the brand name for an undisclosed amount and has partnered with Alexis Ohanian, notable for his role as co-founder of Reddit, to create a revamped version of the social networking site. This initiative was revealed today through reports on TechCrunch and The New York Times.

While specific details about the platform’s design and features remain sparse, it has been confirmed that artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in moderating content. Ohanian stated to TechCrunch, “Online environments flourish when there is an equilibrium between technological capabilities and human insight.” He emphasized that AI should manage the routine aspects, allowing individuals to foster genuine interactions.

Beyond these insights, information about the platform is limited; the articles tend to emphasize the founders rather than the technological aspects. Rose has indicated that the new iteration of Digg will not resemble traditional forums, asserting that in the coming years, users can expect “an interface that is distinctly different from anything you have encountered before.”

Established in 2004—over twenty years ago, which is quite significant in the rapidly evolving digital landscape—Digg was founded by Rose and his team. Reddit emerged soon after in 2005, created by the current CEO Steve Huffman, the late hacktivist Aaron Swartz, and Ohanian. The two platforms competed fiercely to become the go-to link aggregator for several years, a contest that ultimately saw Reddit prevail. Various interpretations of this rivalry suggest that while Reddit attracted more users, Digg’s downfall can be traced back to its own missteps: a widely criticized redesign in 2010, instigated under Rose’s direction, alienated many users due to its prioritization of select contributors’ posts. Consequently, the platform suffered a drastic user loss and deteriorated, ultimately being dismantled in parts by 2012.

How to Register for Early Access to the New Digg

In the upcoming weeks, invitations to join the revamped Digg will be distributed. If interested, you can register here. There is hope that this won’t become just another platform for repeating what others share; indeed, the internet is in dire need of original and innovative engagement. Only time will reveal the outcome.