The Growing Influence of Artificial Intelligence and the Power of Curated Content

The Growing Influence of Artificial Intelligence and the Power of Curated Content

In recent years, the United States has witnessed a significant surge in spending on artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. According to a new IDC Spending Guide, AI spending is expected to double by 2025, reaching a staggering $120 billion. This forecast represents a compound annual growth rate of 26.0% over the period from 2021 to 2025. Among the industries leading this AI revolution, retail is expected to maintain its position as the largest spender, closely followed by the banking sector. Together, these two industries will contribute nearly $20 billion to the total AI spending in the United States by 2025.

While the growth in AI spending is undoubtedly remarkable, it is essential to explore other areas that are harnessing the power of technology to reshape the way we consume and discover content. One such endeavor is the brainchild of Ben Springwater and Robert Mackenzie, who initially crossed paths during their time at Nextdoor. Their shared passion for reading, coupled with a frustration over the limitations of existing content consumption and discovery apps, gave birth to the idea of Matter.

Matter aimed to address two fundamental questions: how we read and what we read. It sought to revolutionize the reading experience by building a network of readers who would curate content and provide social context around their recommendations. The concept of Matter was put to the test through a roundup newsletter, which collected content recommendations from influential thinkers on Twitter. This experiment highlighted a crucial insight - the vast majority of the internet's best content is not recent. This realization underscored the importance of trust recommendations and the need to improve content filters and information diets.

To attract early adopters, Ben and Rob focused on targeting specific communities of avid readers who were actively engaged in the world of ideas and had an online and community-oriented presence. Three large online communities - the Interintellect, Progress Studies, and The Long Now Foundation - became the initial breeding ground for Matter's early adopters. By working closely with the leaders of these communities, Matter provided their members with early access to valuable content and the opportunity to shape the product and recommendations engine.

One of the key differentiators of Matter is its approach to content curation. Instead of following publications, users follow individual authors across the web. This shift from a publication-centric model to an author-centric one allows for a more personalized and diverse reading experience. Additionally, Matter emphasizes the social graph of highlights, enabling users to discover what people they admire find interesting. By measuring various factors such as insights, information density, and the author's credibility, Matter aims to surface high-quality content that challenges users' worldviews and introduces them to new ideas.