The founders of SlideShare, a popular presentation-sharing service acquired by Scribd, have embarked on a new venture that capitalizes on the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing demand for innovative ways to share documents. The new social document-sharing platform, named Jaunt, officially launched to the public on Thursday, marking a significant shift in the way users interact with and share content.

Jaunt closely mirrors SlideShare, allowing users to easily upload various types of files and interact with them through features like sharing and liking. However, Jaunt places a greater emphasis on the social sharing aspect, encouraging more engagement and interaction among users. One of the most notable differences is that Jaunt allows users to comment directly under individual posts, which has the potential to foster a community where users can connect and exchange ideas.

The platform features a vertical feed that showcases an array of presentations and documents, ranging from scientific slides and startup pitch decks to educational resources such as orientation materials and other helpful information. Users can choose from several categories, including Business, Education, Science, Tech, and more. Additionally, Jaunt utilizes hashtags similar to those used on other popular social media platforms, enabling users to explore trending topics and discover content that aligns with their interests.

Jaunt leverages AI technology, including Claude, Gemini, and OpenAI, to assist users with the posting process. When users upload a file, the AI generates a concise summary for the caption and suggests a title, category, and relevant hashtags. AI will also eventually help Jaunt translate documents into different languages and summarize them for readers, further enhancing the user experience.

While Jaunt has significant room for growth and improvement before it can compete with established players like SlideShare, Google, and Microsoft, the company plans to add more features over time. These include direct messaging, a verification system, and support for video embedding. Currently bootstrapped, Jaunt is exploring monetization strategies such as a premium tier and is open to incorporating ads, as well as seeking investment from venture capitalists in the future.

Jaunt is currently only available on the web, but the company has optimized the mobile web version, allowing users to swipe left or right on their devices to explore new content. The company plans to launch a mobile app within the next year, further expanding its reach and accessibility.

The launch of Jaunt marks an exciting development in the social document-sharing space, and its emphasis on AI-powered features and social interaction has the potential to revolutionize the way users engage with and share content. As the platform continues to evolve and improve, it will be interesting to see how it competes with established players and shapes the future of document sharing.