Yahoo is launching a new AI-powered personalized news app, revitalizing the technology behind the now-defunct Artifact app. Originally created by Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Artifact was designed as a news aggregation platform.
The new Yahoo News app, available for download today on iOS and Android, offers users an AI-driven personalized news feed tailored to their interests. One notable feature is “Key Takeaways,” which provides bullet-point summaries of news articles for those who prefer a quick read.
Additional features of the Yahoo News app include:
- Top Stories: Highlights trending stories for users and will soon offer key takeaway summaries.
- Customization Options: Users can block stories containing undesired keywords and filter out specific publishers.
- Content Improvement: Similar to Artifact, users can flag clickbait headlines, prompting AI to rewrite them.
Yahoo acquired Artifact in April, saving it from shutting down entirely. Artifact had shifted focus towards becoming a Twitter-like social media platform but initially aimed to be a “TikTok for Text.” While Yahoo has not confirmed the return of all Artifact’s social features, the new app does allow users to share article excerpts with friends and includes a gamified “streak” feature and badges for frequent readers.
Yahoo is also integrating features from the new app into the Yahoo News online homepage. Starting today, the website features a new layout that emphasizes top news, personalized recommendations, and trending topics. This new homepage experience is available as an opt-in feature.
This move marks a significant step for Yahoo as it seeks to enhance its news delivery through advanced AI technology and personalized user experiences.
