# Digg’s AI-Era Revival: A Human-Centric Social Site
The internet landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as AI-generated content floods social platforms, often drowning out authentic human voices. In response, Digg—the iconic Web 2.0 news aggregation site—is making a comeback with a bold vision: prioritizing human interaction in the age of AI.
## A Return to Human-Centric Social Media
Originally launched in 2004, Digg was once a powerhouse in online news discovery, valued at $175 million during its peak. Now, Kevin Rose (Digg’s founder) and Alexis Ohanian (Reddit co-founder) are leading its revival, aiming to restore the human-first ethos of the early internet.
At The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything conference, they outlined their strategy: combating AI-driven misinformation while fostering genuine community engagement.
## The Problem with AI-Generated Content
Ohanian highlighted the growing issue of AI-driven manipulation, referencing the “Dead Internet Theory”—the idea that much of today’s online content is generated by bots rather than humans.
> “The average person doesn’t realize how much of their social media feed is AI-generated,” he said. “We need platforms where real people can connect without being deceived.”
## How Digg Plans to Verify Humans
To ensure authenticity, Digg is exploring zero-knowledge proofs (zk proofs), a cryptographic method to verify human users. Possible verification methods include:
– Device ownership history (longer ownership = higher trust)
– Phone number verification (disposable numbers may require fees)
– Behavioral checks (unusual activity triggers additional verification)
Rose explained: “We’ll have different engagement tiers—some users may only get basic recommendations, while verified members can fully participate.”
## AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Despite their focus on human interaction, Digg won’t reject AI entirely. The platform will use AI for:
– Content moderation (detecting harmful behavior)
– Community management (de-escalating conflicts)
## Empowering Creators and Moderators
A key part of Digg’s revival is rewarding content creators and moderators for their contributions.
> “Unpaid moderation is unsustainable,” Rose said. “People who build communities deserve compensation.”
The platform may explore revenue-sharing models, ensuring that those who drive engagement benefit financially—unlike past controversies where platforms claimed ownership of user-generated content (e.g., Reddit’s “WallStreetBets” trademark dispute).
## The Future of Digg
With a human-first approach, AI-powered moderation, and creator incentives, Digg aims to redefine social media in the AI era.
As Ohanian put it: “The best business model aligns all stakeholders—users, creators, and the platform. We believe it’s possible.”
Will Digg’s revival succeed? Only time will tell, but its focus on authenticity and community could offer a much-needed alternative to AI-dominated platforms.