Title: Nextdoor CEO Says ChatGPT Technology Encourages Politeness Online
Nextdoor’s chief executive, Sarah Friar, has revealed that the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology in the social media app has shown promising results in nudging users to be more civil and reducing abusive behavior. As the first major social network to embrace ChatGPT, Nextdoor has expanded the technology to a quarter of its UK users after initial successful tests.
ChatGPT scans posts on Nextdoor’s platform and offers suggestions to rewrite them in a more civil manner if it detects potentially abusive or hurtful content. According to Friar, approximately one-third of users who received the app’s kindness reminder willingly edited their posts based on the suggested changes. She believes the early indications are positive, inspiring the continued rollout of the technology worldwide.
By leveraging AI capabilities, Nextdoor aims to encourage users to soften their language and adopt a more considerate tone. Friar explains the goal is to promote conversations where individuals can express their opinions while avoiding the removal of their posts. She hopes AI can prompt users to include polite expressions such as please in their interactions, focusing on proactive moderation measures.
Nextdoor currently boasts 42 million users globally, with one in four households in the UK utilizing the platform. The app stands out in the social networking landscape as it requires users to provide their address, enabling localized posts and recommendations. Apart from facilitating trade recommendations and lost pet alerts, Nextdoor also helps combat loneliness by connecting neighbors and fostering community engagement.
Initially faced with a reputation for petty or mean-spirited posts, Nextdoor became one of the first social networks to scan messages before they are posted, aiming to identify and remove abusive comments. Friar emphasizes that such harmful content represents only a small portion of the platform’s overall activity.
Nextdoor’s success can be attributed in part to its policy of not allowing anonymity, with users required to display their full names. Studies have shown that people tend to exhibit more considerate behavior when their real identities are associated with their online actions. The prospect of potential embarrassment from engaging in unwelcome online exchanges while facing neighbors in real life encourages users to adopt a constructive approach.
While Nextdoor is smaller compared to tech giants like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok when it comes to user numbers and investor confidence, this year has seen a significant recovery for the company. With shares surging by 61%, Friar remains optimistic about Nextdoor’s future. She explains that the path to becoming a public company, regardless of the method used, provides the necessary liquidity and flexibility to raise funds. Friar firmly believes the market will recognize Nextdoor as an exceptional asset in due course.
Reflecting on the UK tech scene, Friar acknowledges the need for progress, particularly regarding diversity among executives and embracing risk-taking. She encourages the UK to capitalize on the AI boom, as the presence of companies like OpenAI setting up offices in London presents a vital opportunity for the country to thrive in the next wave of technological advancements.
As Nextdoor continues to refine its integration of ChatGPT, the aim remains to foster a more respectful online environment. By successfully leveraging the power of AI and nudging users toward polite language, Nextdoor sets a positive example for other social networks in promoting online civility.
