We live in a rapidly evolving world dominated by technology, yet it’s a landscape marked by various restrictions. Disputes over data access and usage are becoming more frequent. Microsoft and Reddit are embroiled in one such controversy, which could have significant implications for the future of artificial intelligence and internet search.
Reddit, a powerful ally that has lost Bing and Copilot search
The dispute began when reports surfaced that Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, was no longer displaying AI-powered summaries as it used to. This change is due to Microsoft’s failure to agree with Reddit regarding its data use. Reddit’s CEO, Steve Huffman, has stated that Microsoft has refused to negotiate and does not want to pay for the data.
Huffman has expressed frustration, saying that blocking companies from mining Reddit’s data is “a real pain in the ass.” Despite this, Microsoft is adhering to the standard robots.txt protocol, preventing unauthorized scraping of Reddit data.
Ignoring Reddit could be detrimental for Microsoft. Bing needs to provide comprehensive and accurate data to be taken seriously as a search engine. However, negotiating with Reddit might lead to similar demands from other digital publishers, potentially impacting Microsoft’s finances negatively.
Interestingly, OpenAI, a significant partner of Microsoft in the AI space, has secured a deal with Reddit to use its data. This difference in approach between Microsoft and OpenAI adds another layer of complexity to the situation and suggests Reddit might be resisting Microsoft’s dominance.
The outcome of this dispute remains uncertain. Investors are worried about Microsoft’s substantial investment in AI without a clear return path. A recent study indicates that 30% of AI projects might be abandoned after the proof-of-concept stage by 2025. Microsoft recognizes Reddit’s potential and might even consider acquiring the platform, though the benefits of such a move are unclear.
