Pinterest CEO says the platform uses AI to generate positivity

Pinterest is standing out from the crowd by using AI to create positive experiences for users, says its CEO.

“We’re trying to prove that you can use AI for good,” CEO Bill Ready said to Yahoo Finance at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills on Monday.

“We've really invested in making Pinterest a more positive alternative to traditional social media," he added. "And when you ask Gen Z, they will tell you that they see Pinterest as an oasis away from the toxicity that they see on much of the rest of social media.”

The social media company has been incorporating a suite of "inclusive AI" technologies into its platform that help make search results more representative of different body types and skin tones.

Though the potential TikTok ban has been making headlines, Ready said, “We're not sitting back hoping for the demise of other platforms.”

Pinterest was founded in 2008 as a visual discovery platform where users can search and save ideas. Over the years, the company has evolved into offering users shoppable content.

“Pinterest is where Gen Z goes to shop,” said Ready about the platform's largest demographic. “Over the last two years, we've really been opening the stores, making it really easy for users to connect to the things that they find on Pinterest.”

Pinterest reported massive first quarter earnings last week, beating analyst estimates on almost every metric. Revenue jumped 23% year over year, its best growth in three years. Global monthly active users increased to 518 million, an all-time high and a 12% jump from last year.

The company cut its losses to $24.8 million this quarter, compared to $208.6 million last year. The stock is up over 90% in the past year.

Pinterest has also been investing heavily in its advertising business, striking partnerships with Google and Amazon. "When you step back from it all, Pinterest is firing on all cylinders," Ready said.

Yasmin Khorram is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow Yasmin on Twitter/X @YasminKhorram and on LinkedIn. Send newsworthy tips to Yasmin: yasmin.khorram@yahooinc.com

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