TikTok is introducing a new feature that allows them to cut down on the amount of AI-made media appearing in their timelines. This initiative comes as the service revealed that it presently contains more than 1 billion AI videos.
Trial and Implementation
The update is being tested over the following weeks before a global release. This shift comes amid a surge in AI content, driven by new video-generation tools.
The Broader AI Trend
It has been noted that approximately one in 10 of the most rapidly expanding video streams on a competing service primarily display AI-generated videos. A considerable share of this output is deemed “AI slop”, a phrase for substandard, factory-style content that is frequently absurd or dreamlike.
“We know from our community that many people enjoy content made with AI tools, ranging from computer-generated images to science explainers, and we intend to provide users the option to increase or decrease of that, based on their own likes,” commented a platform representative.
AI on the Platform
The platform disclosed that there are presently 1.3 billion videos on its service labeled as AI-generated. Collectively, over 100 m pieces of content are submitted to the platform every day, making clips made by AI a minor part of its complete catalog.
How to Adjust Settings
Viewers will be able to reduce or increase the level of AI-generated videos they view by using the content preference option in the platform and picking AI-made media. Other topics that can already be adjusted under the filter encompass current affairs, style, aesthetics, and movement.
AI Disclosure Rules
The platform’s guidelines oblige users to label “realistic” artificially created content, and it forbids malicious AI impersonations of well-known individuals or critical incidents. Any believable AI video that is without a tag can be taken down under its user guidelines.
Furthermore, the app will henceforth attach an AI-generated label to content created with its built-in AI features, or detected by an industry-wide initiative for recognizing artificial media. This action is designed to deter users from trying to circumvent the disclosure requirement.
Responsible AI Funding
TikTok is also introducing a $2m AI literacy fund for professionals and institutions to produce informative material about ethical AI use. This project will support charitable organizations focused on training programming and robotics.
Content Safety Approach
The video-sharing app has defended its moderation strategy, amid debate over intentions to cut jobs for a large number of content moderators in the UK. The company is planning to cut a significant number of roles in its user protection team in London, with worker representatives and online safety experts voicing alarm that people are being substituted by automated systems.
A company official stated that human moderation would remain essential, but artificial intelligence can safeguard staff by removing the most distressing content before it gets reviewed by humans. TikTok reported a notable drop in disturbing and violent content handled by human moderators over the past year due to reliance on its automated systems.
“We think that it’s essential to integrate people and machines to maintain a secure environment,” she said. “We’ll have people as part of that process, but we additionally believe it’s highly necessary to reduce exposure to unsafe media as swiftly, which is why a significant AI assistance is making a difference process content quickly.”
