Are you tired of seeing endless AI-generated content flooding your TikTok feed? You're not alone! TikTok is finally giving users more control, allowing you to fine-tune the amount of AI-created videos you see. This is a big deal because, as TikTok revealed, over 1 billion videos on their platform are already labeled as AI-generated.
This change, currently being tested before a global rollout, arrives at a crucial time. With the rise of powerful AI video tools like OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo 3, the internet is experiencing a surge in AI content. Remember the reports highlighting how nearly 1 in 10 of the fastest-growing YouTube channels are filled with AI-generated videos, often falling into the category of "AI slop" – that low-quality, mass-produced, and often nonsensical content?
Jade Nester, TikTok’s European director of public policy for safety and privacy, explains that the goal is to empower users. "We know from our community that many people enjoy content made with AI tools, from digital art to science explainers, and we want to give people the power to see more or less of that, based on their own preferences."
But here's where it gets interesting... While some welcome AI-generated content, others find it overwhelming or prefer content created by real people. This new feature aims to cater to both preferences.
So, how does it work? Users can adjust their AI content exposure by going to the "manage topic" setting within the app and selecting "AI-generated content." Similar filters already exist for topics like current affairs, fashion, beauty, and dance. It's all about personalizing your TikTok experience.
And this is the part most people miss... TikTok isn't just letting you filter content; they're also taking steps to identify it. TikTok's guidelines already require creators to label "realistic" AI-made content, and the platform prohibits harmful deepfakes of public figures or crisis events. Unlabeled realistic AI videos risk removal under community policies.
Furthermore, TikTok will now add an "AI-made" watermark to videos created using its own AI tools or identified through the industry-wide C2PA initiative, a collaborative effort to standardize AI content authentication. This is designed to discourage users from trying to bypass the labeling process.
Beyond content control, TikTok is investing in AI literacy. They're launching a $2 million AI literacy fund to support experts and organizations like Girls Who Code in creating educational content about responsible AI usage. This initiative aims to equip users with the knowledge to critically evaluate and understand AI-generated content.
However, it's not all smooth sailing. TikTok's moderation strategy has faced controversy, particularly regarding plans to make hundreds of UK-based content moderators redundant. Concerns have been raised by trade unions and online safety experts that humans are being replaced by AI moderation. Is this a step forward, or does it risk compromising the quality and nuance of content moderation?
TikTok defends its approach, arguing that AI helps protect human moderators by filtering out the most disturbing content. Brie Pegum, TikTok’s global head of program management for trust and safety, states that human moderation will remain crucial, while AI enhances efficiency and speed. They report a 76% decrease in shocking and graphic content seen by human moderators due to AI intervention.
"We think that it’s essential to balance humans and technology to keep the platform safe," Pegum explains. "We’ll have humans as part of that process, but we also think it’s very important to reduce exposure to harmful content as quickly as possible, which is where a lot of the machine support is really helping us work at speed."
But is relying heavily on AI moderation a risk? Could it lead to biased or inaccurate content filtering? And what about the jobs of human moderators?
Now it's your turn! What do you think about TikTok's new AI content controls? Are you excited to have more control over your feed, or are you concerned about the implications of AI-driven content moderation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
