• by Ray Schultz , 9 hours ago

BuzzFeed is rolling out a generative artificial intelligence "answer engine" for its properties in Asia.

The technology, called DeeperDive, is powered by Taboola.

As with the Gen AI service now being offered by The Economist (see Publishing Insider), readers can ask questions and get answers from BuzzFeed content.

The service will be available in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

"We’ve spent years building big, direct audiences by investing in trusted brands and quality journalism,” says Scott Mackenzie, CEO of BuzzFeed Japan & Asia, in a statement. “Today with DeeperDive, we can harness the latest AI tech to offer our users a richer experience by tapping our real-time coverage and archive library.” 

The goal is to “expand BuzzFeed's on-site functionality for our readers, grow user engagement, and open up new revenue opportunities," Mackenzie adds.  

Adam Singolda, CEO and founder, Taboola, notes that “BuzzFeed Asia is taking their rich history of delivering quality content and with DeeperDive, offering it to readers in a completely new, appealing and innovative way. Innovative publishers like BuzzFeed Japan who adopt DeeperDive aren’t just keeping up with the GenAI revolution, they're leading it, on their terms.”