Yahoo announced today the acquisition of Artifact, an AI-driven news aggregation and discovery platform founded by Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger.
With this acquisition, Yahoo aims to leverage Artifact’s proprietary AI technology to enhance the personalized content experience for users across its platforms, including the Yahoo News app.
Artifact’s mission has been centered on delivering relevant news stories to users through AI-driven curation, utilizing innovative technology to provide tailored content experiences.
Through the integration of Artifact’s technology into its ecosystem, Yahoo seeks to advance its focus on delivering trusted news and information to millions of users worldwide.
Kat Downs Mulder, SVP and General Manager of Yahoo News, is optimistic about the acquisition. He emphasized Artifact’s reputation for innovation in machine learning and personalization. Mulder highlighted Yahoo’s vision of becoming the trusted guide to digital information and its dedication to curating content that aligns with users’ interests.
Kevin Systrom, CEO and Co-Founder of Artifact, pointed to the potential for Yahoo to scale the product and uphold the belief in connecting users with trusted sources of news and information. Systrom showed confidence in Yahoo’s ability to further enhance the user experience and expand the reach of Artifact’s technology.
Artifact’s AI-powered discovery engine is designed to surface content that aligns with users’ interests, offering a personalized feed of news stories that evolves over time. The platform also offers various features aimed at improving the quality of the user experience, including easy access to top news, link-sharing capabilities, and tools to combat clickbait.
The acquisition of Artifact, finalized on March 29, 2024, is a well-focused investment targeted at enhancing the content discovery and personalization capabilities of the Yahoo News industry. The integration of Artifact’s technology is expected to enrich the content experiences for Yahoo users, providing them with more relevant and engaging news stories tailored to their preferences.
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the co-founders of Artifact, will work closely with Yahoo in an advisory capacity during the transition period, ensuring a smooth integration of the technology into Yahoo’s platforms.
