# Digg Reboot: Human-Centric Social Site in AI Era

The revamped version of social platform Digg aims to recapture the essence of the early internet at a time when AI-generated content threatens to dominate social media. Founders Kevin Rose and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian are leading the charge to create a human-first social experience in the age of artificial intelligence.

## The Problem with AI-Driven Social Media

Ohanian, who previously left Reddit over concerns about toxic content moderation, highlighted how AI and bots have increasingly distorted online interactions. He referenced the “Dead Internet Theory,” which suggests much of today’s web content is generated by AI rather than humans.

– AI-generated posts can manipulate discussions.
– Bot-driven engagement undermines authentic human connection.
– Social platforms struggle to distinguish real users from automated accounts.

## A New Approach: Verifying Humanity

To combat this, Digg is exploring zero-knowledge proofs (zk proofs)—a cryptographic method to verify user authenticity. Possible solutions include:

– Device ownership verification (longer ownership = higher trust).
– Tiered engagement (anonymous users get limited features).
– Phone verification or small fees to deter disposable accounts.

## Empowering Creators and Moderators

Rose emphasized that content creators and moderators should benefit financially from their contributions. Unlike platforms that exploit unpaid labor, Digg aims to:

– Reward moderators for maintaining healthy communities.
– Avoid ownership disputes (e.g., Reddit’s handling of “WallStreetBitten”).
– Use AI for moderation, but keep human oversight.

## The Future of Digg

The founders believe a human-first model will make Digg stand out. By balancing AI tools for efficiency with human verification and creator incentives, they aim to build a sustainable, engaging platform in the AI era.

As Ohanian put it: “The best social platforms will be those that prioritize real people—not bots masquerading as them.”