Written by Emily Becker

Reddit’s multimedia spin

Reddit rarely makes significant changes to its platform; however, its new audio and video update may be one to watch out for.

The social media company is now experimenting with a new feature that allows users to convert text-based posts and comments into watchable and listenable content, using AI-generated voices.

While the test is currently limited to a sample size of posts and communities, the platform has said it is designed to understand whether these formats are helpful and engaging for users.

This move also supports Reddit’s push into visual content, including the introduction of video comments in June.

CEO Steve Huffman has also linked this feature to the growing popularity of content where creators read and comment on Reddit stories and threads, similar to podcast-style content. He also noted that the broader goal here is to attract new users and increase engagement from casual visitors, especially those landing on Reddit through search engines.

The shift is reflecting the growing demand for more accessible content on social platforms.

Claude’s new digital fingerprint

Europe is tightening transparency regulations on artificial intelligence, requiring content to be clearly disclosed.  

The new rules came into effect on 2 August and require AI-generated content to be identifiable by December this year.

Designed to combat misinformation and fraud, they mandate clear labelling of AI material, including deepfake images, audio, and video that resemble real people, places or events.

In response, tech giant Anthropic will be including a new invisible watermark to its content, globally. The imprint works by altering the model’s small, random word choices, creating a hidden pattern that Anthropic and other authorised parties can detect.

Some critics worry the watermark could make Claude’s writing feel less natural, while experts say users are unlikely to notice any differences.

The biggest implication may be that work generated by artificial intelligence becomes easier to identify, which is a win for educators (and less so for students drafting last-minute essays).  

Bringing authenticity back to the feed

Launching a new tool to flag AI-generated “slop,” LinkedIn is putting authenticity back in the spotlight.

The professional social platform now includes a “Seems like slop” button, allowing users to flag posts they believe are low-quality or heavily AI-generated.

In terms of our feeds, the new button appears within the three-dot menu of a LinkedIn post. While invisible to your followers, when used, it will act as a signal to help LinkedIn identify and reduce the visibility of similar content in feeds.

LinkedIn is also retiring its AI-powered post enhancement tool and replacing it with a proofreading feature designed to maintain a user’s original voice, instead of rewriting the content.

The new feature comes not long after Substack launched its very own AI detection feature in late July. It is powered by Pangram, allowing readers to scan content and estimate how much was written by a human versus AI.

As AI content becomes more common, users are in turn becoming more sceptical of polished and repetitive content, putting platforms under pressure to preserve human voices.

Snapchat keeps it human

At the beginning of this month, Snapchat announced updates to its Spotlight algorithm to cease recommending videos which are entirely AI-generated.

The social media platform of choice for 18-24-year-olds says it wants this feature to be a place where authentic and human content stands out and is rewarded.

However, AI content will not be rejected entirely, with content that has either been enhanced or edited using AI still eligible for recommendation.

Snapchat has said the goal is to prevent low-quality or repetitive content, often referred to as “AI slop,” from negatively impacting the user experience in the app.

Interestingly, Snap’s approach contrasts with Meta’s AI-first app, Vibes, which is built entirely around AI-generated content, highlighting the diverse ways platforms are responding to the rise of the tech.

Snapchat’s move reflects a broader industry shift towards authenticity, particularly among younger audiences who are increasingly valuing personal stories and genuine connection.