Amazon-owned livestreaming company Twitch's CEO, Dan Clancy, believes its services are more human-centric in the age of artificial intelligence. Speaking at the Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, he stated, “AI is trying to take humans out of the equation, and live is one of the formats that keeps humans at the centre. You connect with people. You can understand them. You can see who they are.”
Clancy made these remarks during a discussion on the future of online communities and digital engagement. He argued that livestreaming platforms offer forms of interaction that differ from those on traditional social media feeds. Real-time participation creates a sense of connection that users increasingly seek in an online environment shaped by algorithms and AI-driven content.
“Social media has become antisocial. Sitting and swiping doesn’t make you feel connected to other people. If you think of real-world communities—churches, running clubs—it all comes from shared experiences in real time,” Clancy added.
Twitch and livestream shopping platform Whatnot, whose CEO Grant LaFontaine shared the stage with Clancy, have both built their businesses around live interactions between creators, sellers, and viewers. The executives said real-time engagement remains central to how their platforms operate and to how users interact with online communities.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
While concerns about AI-generated content continue to grow across the technology industry, both executives said they do not see AI replacing human creators who drive activity on their platforms. LaFontaine said AI could help sellers create content or stay connected with audiences when they are not actively streaming. Clancy similarly described AI as a tool that can assist creators rather than replace them, saying it could help people “access their creativity” by making content production easier. The executives also noted that data scraping by AI companies has not emerged as a major challenge for their businesses.
Clancy's comments come as livestreaming platforms continue to attract large audiences. Twitch has an estimated 35 million daily active users, while Whatnot has said it draws several million daily active users. Whatnot recorded $8 billion in sales last year across categories including trading cards, sports cards, women's fashion, and sneakers.
Addressing Addiction Concerns
Responding to questions about whether livestreaming platforms themselves risk becoming addictive, LaFontaine said Whatnot focuses on building long-term relationships with customers rather than encouraging short-term engagement. He added that the platform provides tools allowing users to set limits, though he did not elaborate on how those controls work.
Additionally, there was discussion of Twitch’s role within Amazon. Clancy rejected speculation that Amazon could sell the platform, stating that Twitch's growth was closely linked to Amazon's acquisition of the company in 2014. He said Twitch's appeal can be difficult for non-active users to understand because much of its value comes from the communities and interactions that develop around live content.
This article was originally published by the TOI Tech Desk, a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. Their coverage spans gadget launches, reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports, and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe.
