Can Reddit survive in the AI era?
Business | Good bot, bad bot
Can Reddit survive in the AI era?
It wants more cash for its data—and more of people’s time
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Photograph: Getty Images
Aug 20th 2026|3 min read
Earlier this summer “Backrooms”, a horror flick, became one of the most successful independent films ever made, grossing $393m from a $10m budget. Its source material was unusual: a collection of images of unnervingly empty rooms that spread on Reddit, an internet forum. Hollywood producers have since taken to trawling the site for inspiration.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Good bot, bad bot”
From the August 22nd 2026 edition
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