TikTok is introducing a updated setting that allows them to cut down on the volume of AI-made content appearing in their feeds. This move comes as the platform disclosed that it presently contains more than 1 bn content made with AI.
Testing and Rollout
The update is being tested over the following weeks before a full-scale rollout. This shift aligns with a rise in content created by AI, fueled by emerging content generation software.
The Broader AI Trend
It has been noted that almost 10% of the most rapidly expanding channels on a competing service only show AI-generated videos. A significant portion of this content is classified as “AI slop”, a phrase for poor-quality, factory-style content that is often nonsensical or dreamlike.
Based on user feedback that numerous viewers enjoy content made with AI tools, ranging from computer-generated images to educational videos, and we want to offer the community the power to see more or less of that, according to their own preferences,” stated a company executive.
Volume and Proportions
TikTok shared that there are presently 1.3bn videos on its network labeled as artificially created. In total, in excess of 100 mn media items are uploaded to the platform each day, making AI-generated material a minor part of its complete catalog.
User Control Features
Viewers will be able to decrease or raise the level of artificial media they see by opening the “manage topic” feature in the app and picking the AI content topic. Other topics that can already be adjusted under the setting encompass current affairs, style, cosmetics, and choreography.
Content Labeling and Policies
Its rules require users to identify lifelike AI-generated content, and it prohibits harmful deepfakes of public figures or crisis events. Any authentic-looking artificial content that is unmarked can be deleted under its community policies.
Additionally, the service will from now on attach an artificially created watermark to content made using its proprietary AI systems, or detected by an industry-wide initiative for identifying artificial media. This step is intended to help prevent users from seeking to bypass the labeling process.
AI Literacy Programs
The platform is additionally introducing a two million dollar educational fund for professionals and groups to create learning resources about ethical AI use. This project will benefit educational bodies specializing in teaching coding and technology.
Platform Protection
TikTok has supported its safety measures, during discussion over intentions to cut jobs for numerous review team members in the United Kingdom. It is expected to cut hundreds of positions in its content moderation team in its British office, with trade unions and internet security professionals raising concerns that humans are being replaced by AI moderation.
A company official stated that human moderation would continue to be important, but AI can safeguard staff by filtering out the most graphic content prior to it gets reviewed by people. TikTok stated a notable drop in disturbing and violent content seen by content reviewers over the last 12 months due to the use of its machine learning processes.
It is vital to balance people and machines to maintain a secure environment,” she said. “We’ll have staff as integral to the approach, but we also think it’s very important to reduce exposure to unsafe media as quickly as possible, which is why a lot of the machine support is really helping us operate efficiently.”
