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TikTok is introducing a new feature that allows them to cut down on the quantity of AI-created content appearing in their streams. This step comes as the service revealed that it now features over 1 billion content made with AI.

Pilot Phase and Launch

The new functionality is being tested over the following weeks before a widespread rollout. This development aligns with a surge in content created by AI, fueled by new AI video creators.

The Broader AI Trend

Studies have shown that nearly 10% of the fastest-growing content creators on a competing service only show AI-generated videos. A significant portion of this content is considered “AI slop”, a phrase for substandard, bulk-generated content that is often absurd or surreal.

Based on user feedback that a lot of users like content produced via AI tools, from digital art to educational videos, and we aim to provide users the power to adjust the amount of that, based on their own choices,” stated a platform representative.

Scale of AI Content

The platform announced that there are currently 1.3bn videos on its service tagged as AI-generated. In total, over 100 m media items are submitted to the service every day, making AI content a minor part of its total content library.

User Control Features

Users will be in a position to decrease or raise the amount of artificial media they view by opening the topic control setting in the app and picking AI-made media. Further subjects that are already be controlled under the setting cover news, fashion, cosmetics, and dance.

AI Disclosure Rules

The platform’s guidelines mandate content makers to identify convincing AI-generated content, and it bans malicious AI impersonations of public figures or emergencies. Any believable AI-generated clip that is without a tag can be deleted under its terms of service.

Furthermore, the platform will from now on add an “AI-made” watermark to content produced via its proprietary AI systems, or identified by an industry-wide initiative for identifying artificial media. This measure is designed to help prevent users from attempting to circumvent the labeling process.

AI Literacy Programs

TikTok is additionally establishing a two million dollar awareness program for professionals and groups to create educational content about using AI responsibly. This program will assist educational bodies focused on training programming and robotics.

Moderation Strategy

The video-sharing app has defended its moderation strategy, following discussion over proposals to lay off a large number of review team members in the UK. The company is planning to reduce 439 jobs in its content moderation department in London, with worker representatives and internet security professionals voicing alarm that humans are being replaced by automated systems.

A company official explained that staff-based oversight would still have a role, but automated tools can safeguard staff by eliminating the most distressing content ahead of it is viewed by staff. The platform announced a significant reduction in explicit and harmful content handled by safety staff over the previous year due to the use of its AI tools.

We believe it is crucial to balance humans and technology to keep the platform safe,” the official commented. “We’ll have humans as integral to the approach, but we also think it’s very important to limit contact with dangerous material as swiftly, which is the area in which a lot of the machine support is really helping us process content quickly.”