TikTok is introducing a new feature that allows them to reduce the quantity of AI-created media appearing in their timelines. This move comes as the platform disclosed that it currently hosts in excess of 1 bn AI videos.
Testing and Rollout
The update is undergoing trials over the next few weeks before a widespread rollout. This shift coincides with a surge in AI-generated material, driven by emerging content generation software.
The Broader AI Trend
Studies have shown that nearly a tenth of the quickest rising video streams on another major platform primarily display AI-generated videos. A significant portion of this content is classified as “AI slop”, a label for substandard, mass-produced content that is frequently illogical or surreal.
Our research shows that numerous viewers enjoy content produced via AI tools, from computer-generated images to informative clips, and we want to offer the community the ability to see more or less of that, according to their own likes,” said a spokesperson.
Scale of AI Content
TikTok disclosed that there are now 1.3 billion videos on its network identified as made with AI. In total, over 100 million media items are submitted to the app each day, making clips made by AI a relatively small percentage of its total content library.
How to Adjust Settings
Users will be capable of reduce or increase the level of artificial media they watch by accessing the topic control feature in the platform and choosing “AI-generated content”. Other topics that currently be modified under the filter include news, fashion, beauty, and movement.
Content Labeling and Policies
TikTok’s policies oblige users to tag lifelike AI-made content, and it forbids harmful fake videos of celebrities or emergencies. Any authentic-looking AI-generated clip that is unmarked can be removed under its community policies.
In addition, the service will now add an artificially created label to content produced via its own AI tools, or identified by an cross-platform project for spotting content made by AI. This measure is aimed to stop users from seeking to circumvent the disclosure requirement.
AI Literacy Programs
TikTok is furthermore introducing a $2m awareness program for experts and groups to produce learning resources about ethical AI use. This program will support educational bodies focused on training programming and robotics.
Content Safety Approach
The video-sharing app has supported its moderation strategy, amid debate over intentions to cut jobs for a large number of review team members in the United Kingdom. The company is planning to eliminate a significant number of roles in its content moderation division in its British office, with worker representatives and online safety experts raising concerns that people are being substituted by AI moderation.
A company official clarified that human moderation would still have a role, but automated tools can protect employees by filtering out the most distressing content before it has to be seen by people. The company announced a significant reduction in disturbing and violent content handled by human moderators over the last 12 months due to the use of its automated systems.
“We think that it’s essential to combine humans and technology to keep the platform safe,” she said. “We’ll have people as part of that process, but we additionally believe it’s highly necessary to reduce exposure to dangerous material as rapidly, which is the area in which a significant AI assistance is really helping us work at speed.”
