Yahoo acquires Artifact, the AI-powered news platform founded by Instagram's creators

Yahoo today announced the acquisition of Artifact, the news aggregation and discovery platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Founded by Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Artifact leverages technology to deliver highly personalized news experiences.

This acquisition comes after Artifact's CEO, Kevin Systrom, announced in January 2024 the decision to wind down operations of the app. Artifact, launched just a year prior, received praise for its innovation and design but faced challenges in gaining a strong market foothold.

Yahoo plans to integrate Artifact's core technology into its own platforms, particularly the flagship Yahoo News app. This move bolsters Yahoo's position as a leading provider of trusted news and information, enhancing its ability to connect users with the content that matters most to them.

“Yahoo was one of the first to combine human and algorithmic curation of news. Since then, the landscape of machine learning and personalization has changed dramatically and Artifact has innovated with best-in-class technology to meet the moment,” said Kat Downs Mulder, SVP and General Manager of Yahoo News. “Artifact has become a beloved product and we’re thrilled to be able to continue to grow that technology and further our mission of becoming the trusted guide to digital information and the best curator connecting people to the content that matters most to them.”

“We built an intuitive product experience that users love and has the opportunity to benefit millions of people. Yahoo brings the scale to help the product achieve what we envisioned while upholding the belief that connecting people to the trusted sources of news and information is as critical as ever,” said Kevin Systrom, CEO and Co-Founder of Artifact. “AI has allowed us to give users a better experience discovering great content they care about. Yahoo recognizes that opportunity, and we could not be more excited to see what we’ve built live on through Yahoo News.”

Artifact's AI engine excels at tailoring news feeds, learning user preferences and interests over time. This integration promises a more dynamic and personalized news experience for Yahoo's vast user base.

The acquisition closed on March 29, 2024. Systrom and Krieger will remain involved with Yahoo in an advisory capacity during the transition period.