TikTok is introducing a new feature that allows them to cut down on the volume of AI-created content appearing in their timelines. This move comes as the service revealed that it currently hosts more than 1 billion AI-generated clips.
Trial and Implementation
This change is being tested over the following weeks before a global rollout. This shift comes amid a surge in AI-generated material, fueled by recent content generation software.
The Broader AI Trend
Recent reports that nearly 10% of the most rapidly expanding content creators on a popular video site only show content made by AI. A considerable share of this output is deemed “AI slop”, a term for poor-quality, factory-style content that is often absurd or surreal.
“We know from our community that a lot of users appreciate content created using AI tools, from computer-generated images to educational videos, and we intend to offer the community the ability to see more or less of that, according to their own choices,” commented a company executive.
Volume and Proportions
The platform shared that there are presently 1.3bn videos on its service labeled as artificially created. In total, more than 100 m videos are added to the app every day, making AI-generated material a relatively small part of its total content library.
How to Adjust Settings
Members will be in a position to limit or boost the volume of AI content they view by opening the content preference setting in the application and picking AI-made media. Additional categories that are already be adjusted under the setting cover politics, style, cosmetics, and choreography.
Platform Guidelines
The platform’s rules mandate users to label lifelike AI-generated content, and it bans malicious deepfakes of well-known individuals or emergencies. Any authentic-looking AI-generated clip that is unmarked can be taken down under its community policies.
Additionally, the app will now attach an artificially created tag to content created with its built-in AI features, or flagged by an cross-platform project for spotting content made by AI. This step is aimed to deter users from seeking to evade the disclosure requirement.
AI Literacy Programs
TikTok is furthermore launching a two million dollar awareness program for experts and institutions to produce learning resources about ethical AI use. This project will support non-profit groups dedicated to educating computer science.
Moderation Strategy
The platform has defended its content review process, amid discussion over plans to make redundant a large number of content moderators in Britain. The company is planning to reduce 439 jobs in its user protection division in the UK capital, with trade unions and internet security professionals voicing alarm that people are being substituted by machine-led review.
A senior executive clarified that staff-based oversight would remain essential, but automated tools can safeguard staff by removing the most distressing content prior to it is viewed by staff. TikTok announced a 76% decrease in shocking and graphic content seen by human moderators over the last 12 months due to the use of its machine learning processes.
“We think that it’s essential to combine staff and AI to keep the platform safe,” she said. “We’ll have people as involved in the system, but we additionally believe it’s extremely critical to limit contact with harmful content as rapidly, which is where a significant AI assistance is proving valuable operate efficiently.”
