Discord seeks to solve a problem that it created | TechCrunch
May 23, 2025 - techcrunch.com
Discord is preparing to go public as it enters its second decade, having transformed online community interactions by evolving from forums and message boards to multi-channel instant messaging servers. While Discord hosts a variety of communities, from AI platforms to gaming groups, the rapid pace of real-time chats can overwhelm users and obscure important information. To address this, Discord is considering features that support structured knowledge sharing, akin to forums, and exploring the use of large language models (LLMs) to summarize lengthy conversations. However, the company has yet to find a satisfactory solution, and the potential use of AI could have mixed reactions among its diverse user base.
With a new CEO and an impending IPO, Discord is likely to undergo several updates. The company's SVP of product, Peter Sellis, acknowledges the need for improvements in managing information flow and enhancing user experience. Despite the challenges, Discord remains committed to refining its platform to better serve its communities while balancing the integration of AI technologies.
Key takeaways:
Discord is planning to go public as it enters its second decade as a company.
The company is exploring ways to improve structured knowledge sharing, similar to forums, to address the issue of overwhelming message streams.
Discord is considering using LLMs to summarize long conversations, although they haven't found a satisfactory solution yet.
With a new CEO and an upcoming IPO, Discord is expected to undergo several updates.
