TikTok is introducing a fresh option that allows them to reduce the quantity of artificial intelligence-produced content appearing in their feeds. This move comes as the platform announced that it currently hosts in excess of 1 thousand million content made with AI.
Pilot Phase and Launch
This change is being tested over the following weeks before a full-scale launch. This development coincides with a rise in content created by AI, fueled by recent content generation software.
The Broader AI Trend
Studies have shown that almost one in 10 of the most rapidly expanding video streams on another major platform exclusively feature clips produced artificially. A considerable share of this material is considered “AI slop”, a term for poor-quality, factory-style content that is typically absurd or bizarre.
“We know from our community that numerous viewers like content made with AI tools, from digital art to science explainers, and we aim to offer the community the ability to see more or less of that, based on their own preferences,” commented a spokesperson.
Volume and Proportions
The platform shared that there are now over a billion videos on its service tagged as artificially created. In total, more than 100 million media items are submitted to the service daily, making AI content a limited percentage of its total content library.
How to Adjust Settings
Users will be in a position to limit or boost the level of artificial media they see by accessing the topic control feature in the app and choosing “AI-generated content”. Other topics that can already be modified under the setting include current affairs, style, beauty, and choreography.
AI Disclosure Rules
TikTok’s rules oblige content makers to identify “realistic” AI-made content, and it bans harmful fake videos of well-known individuals or crisis events. Any realistic AI video that is unmarked can be deleted under its user guidelines.
Additionally, the service will henceforth apply an “AI-made” watermark to content created with its own AI tools, or flagged by an collaborative effort for identifying artificial media. This action is aimed to deter users from trying to evade the disclosure requirement.
AI Literacy Programs
The company is also launching a $2m awareness program for professionals and organizations to develop educational content about responsible artificial intelligence. This project will support educational bodies focused on training computer science.
Moderation Strategy
The platform has defended its safety measures, amid discussion over proposals to make redundant numerous content moderators in the UK. The company is expected to cut a significant number of roles in its content moderation department in London, with worker representatives and digital protection specialists expressing worry that staff are being displaced by AI moderation.
A senior executive clarified that staff-based oversight would continue to be important, but artificial intelligence can protect employees by filtering out the most distressing content ahead of it gets reviewed by humans. The platform announced a notable drop in disturbing and violent content seen by content reviewers over the past year due to reliance on its automated systems.
It is vital to integrate people and machines to maintain a secure environment,” the official commented. “We’ll have humans as integral to the approach, but we additionally believe it’s highly necessary to reduce exposure to unsafe media as quickly as possible, which is why a significant AI assistance is proving valuable operate efficiently.”
