When SlideShare, the presentation-sharing service acquired by Scribd, launched in 2006, generative AI technology was significantly less advanced than it is today, and social networking platforms were just beginning to take off. Recognizing the evolution of AI and the increasing desire for innovative ways to share documents, the founders of SlideShare—Amit Ranjan (COO), Jonathan Boutelle (CTO), and Rashmi Sinha (CEO)—have embarked on a new venture aimed at capitalizing on this trend.

The new social document-sharing platform, named Jaunt, officially launched to the public on Thursday. It closely mirrors SlideShare, allowing users to easily upload various types of files and interact with them through features like sharing and liking. It also lets users follow their favorite creators.

One of the most notable differences is that Jaunt places a greater emphasis on the social sharing aspect and encourages more engagement and interaction among users. For instance, Jaunt sets it apart by allowing users to comment directly under individual posts, which has the potential to help foster a community where users can connect and exchange ideas.

The platform also 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 uses hashtags similar to those used on other popular social media platforms. This allows users to explore trending topics and discover content that aligns with their interests.

Jaunt utilizes 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.

When testing Jaunt, it’s clear that the platform has significant room for growth and improvement before it can compete with established players like SlideShare, Google, and Microsoft. According to SlideShare’s website, the platform attracts around 80 million users each month and boasts over 28 million uploads across 40 content categories.

The company plans to add more features over time, including 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.

While Jaunt is currently only available on the web, the company says it has optimized the mobile web version, allowing users to swipe left or right on their devices to explore new content.

Jaunt plans to launch a mobile app within the next year.