Bond, a new social media platform, wants to use AI to help you kick your doomscrolling habit

In an era where traditional social media platforms have conditioned users to remain glued to their screens, a new contender has emerged aiming to change the narrative. Launched recently, Bond positions itself as a refreshing alternative by actively encouraging users to engage with the real world instead of falling prey to endless scrolling. Co-founder and CEO Dino Becirovic asserts that Bond offers a unique, AI-driven approach to combat Americans’ growing screen addiction. This platform allows users to share their life experiences through various formats, including images, videos, and audio snippets. However, what sets Bond apart is its focus on generating real-world event recommendations based on user interactions, rather than merely keeping them engaged online. For example, if a user frequently posts about their love for Vietnamese cuisine, Bond's AI might suggest a highly-rated nearby restaurant. Similarly, a heavy metal enthusiast could receive alerts about an upcoming Iron Maiden concert in their area. The more users contribute their experiences, the better the AI becomes at curating personalized suggestions, encouraging users to step outside and discover new activities. Bond's interface resembles that of Instagram but eliminates the traditional feed. Instead, users' profiles are displayed in clusters, showcasing their current stories, which vanish after 24 hours yet are archived privately for later access. The team behind Bond boasts experience from major social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter, with key members having backgrounds in prominent tech ventures. With no advertisements on the horizon, the question arises: how will Bond generate revenue? Becirovic envisions a future where users can monetize their memories by licensing their data for AI training purposes. This model would allow Bond to take a minimal cut of the profits, thereby establishing itself as a valuable data provider for AI companies. Another potential revenue stream could involve Bond functioning as a product recommendation tool linked to e-commerce sites, enhancing user experience and facilitating transactions with merchants. Becirovic emphasizes that Bond will not sell user data for advertising purposes, allowing users to manage their memories and profiles with ease. Privacy and security are also high on the agenda, with plans to enhance encryption measures in the near future. For now, Becirovic's primary focus is on ensuring that Bond provides genuine value to users who document their lives. "Monetization is not a short-term priority," he notes, as the platform aims to establish itself as a beneficial space for memory-sharing and real-world engagement.