Yahoo has officially unveiled a new AI-powered news application, integrating technology from the previously acquired Artifact app. Artifact, a project initiated by Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, has been integrated into this fresh iteration of Yahoo News.
Today, users of iOS and Android devices can download this app, which promises a personalized news consumption experience tailored to individual preferences.
What’s New in Yahoo News App?
The central feature of the Yahoo News app is its AI-powered mechanism that curates a personalized news feed for each user based on their specific interests. This is complemented by a functionality called “Key Takeaways,” designed to offer bullet summaries of news articles, especially useful for users seeking a quick understanding of content without reading the full text.
Further enhancing user interaction, the app includes a “Top Stories” feature that identifies and presents trending stories. This feature is set to be augmented soon with the Key Takeaways summaries.
Users also have the capability to block stories containing keywords they wish to avoid and can filter out articles from publishers they prefer not to read. Drawing parallels to its predecessor, Artifact, the Yahoo News app also includes a feature that allows users to flag problematic content such as clickbaity headlines, which the app’s AI then rewrites to create a more accurate and relevant title.
Reviving Artifact’s Technology
The acquisition of Artifact by Yahoo in April, for an undisclosed sum, was aimed at rescuing the app from obscurity after its failed attempt to transform into a Twitter-like social media platform, despite its original conception as a “TikTok for Text.”
Although the social features of Artifact are not fully revived in the new app, users can still share excerpts of articles with friends and engage with gamified features such as a “streak” system and badges, which acknowledge and encourage frequent reading.
Additionally, Yahoo is applying the innovations developed for its mobile app to its online news platform. Starting today, the Yahoo News website will feature a new layout that not only highlights the top news stories but also provides personalized recommendations and shows trending topics. Users can choose to opt into this new homepage experience.
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