Reddit tests AI-powered video adaptations of forum posts with synthetic voices

Reddit is piloting a feature that transforms discussion threads into short videos, complete with AI-generated narration that reads aloud the original post and selected comments. The system displays synchronized text while an artificial voice performs the narration, with a disclosure noting that the conversation is "voiced by AI."

How the format works#

The new video format appears alongside traditional text threads, giving users the choice to switch between modes. A toggle at the top of the post lets people select either "Read" for the standard text view or "Play" for the video variant. The synthetic narration walks through the original question and various community responses in a streamlined three-minute presentation.

An archived example from r/boardgames showcases the approach: a request for boardgame recommendations that originally generated over 100 text responses now appears as a narrated video. This format could appeal to people unfamiliar with forum layouts, though it introduces potential issues like mispronounced terms or misrepresented comments.

Rollout timeline and scope#

The experiment is currently active on Reddit's web platform and will expand to iOS and Android starting Tuesday, according to company spokesperson Rosa Kim. Reddit plans to begin with a limited set of existing posts before gradually expanding the feature across more discussions.

"This is an early, limited experiment to understand whether people find these formats useful and how we can deliver them in a way that feels authentic to Reddit," Kim explained.

Why Reddit is making the move#

This initiative aligns with Reddit's stated goal to rebuild how users "connect, share, and consume content through a modernized video experience," as mentioned in its latest earnings shareholder letter. CEO Steve Huffman has pointed to an emerging ecosystem of third-party content—including TikTok channels and YouTube videos—where creators simply use AI voices to narrate Reddit discussions. By building this capability directly into the platform, Reddit aims to capture that engagement internally while allowing background listening for multitasking users.

The company already introduced video replies earlier this year as part of its broader video strategy.