TikTok is introducing a updated setting that enables them to reduce the volume of AI-created content appearing in their timelines. This move comes as the service revealed that it presently contains in excess of 1 bn content made with AI.
Testing and Rollout
This change is in a pilot phase over the next few weeks before a widespread release. This shift comes amid a rise in AI content, driven by recent video-generation tools.
AI Content on Other Platforms
Studies have shown that approximately one in 10 of the most rapidly expanding channels on a competing service exclusively feature clips produced artificially. A large amount of this output is deemed “AI slop”, a term for inferior, factory-style content that is frequently nonsensical or dreamlike.
Based on user feedback that many people like content produced via AI tools, ranging from digital art to educational videos, and we intend to provide users the option to increase or decrease of that, depending on their own choices,” said a spokesperson.
Volume and Proportions
TikTok shared that there are currently over a billion videos on its network tagged as AI-generated. Collectively, over 100 mn media items are added to the app each day, making AI-generated material a minor portion of its overall inventory.
User Control Features
Users will be in a position to reduce or increase the amount of artificial media they see by using the “manage topic” setting in the platform and choosing “AI-generated content”. Further subjects that can already be adjusted under the setting cover current affairs, fashion, aesthetics, and choreography.
Platform Guidelines
The platform’s rules require content makers to label “realistic” AI-generated content, and it prohibits harmful deepfakes of public figures or crisis events. Any realistic AI-generated clip that is unmarked can be deleted under its community policies.
In addition, the service will now attach an AI-generated label to content created with its built-in AI features, or flagged by an cross-platform project for identifying artificial media. This measure is aimed to deter users from seeking to evade the labeling process.
Educational Initiatives
TikTok is also establishing a two million dollar educational fund for professionals and groups to create educational content about using AI responsibly. This initiative will support non-profit groups focused on educating computer science.
Content Safety Approach
The platform has justified its moderation strategy, following discussion over plans to make redundant hundreds of content moderators in Britain. The company is planning to reduce 439 jobs in its trust and safety team in its British office, with worker representatives and digital protection specialists voicing alarm that people are being substituted by machine-led review.
A trust and safety lead explained that human moderation would still have a role, but AI can shield workers by eliminating the most distressing content ahead of it has to be seen by humans. The company stated a significant reduction in explicit and harmful content handled by human moderators over the last 12 months due to intervention by its machine learning processes.
We believe it is crucial to integrate people and machines to maintain a secure environment,” she said. “We’ll have humans as part of that process, but we also think it’s extremely critical to minimize viewing of unsafe media as rapidly, which is where a significant AI assistance is making a difference operate efficiently.”
