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TikTok is introducing a fresh option that enables them to reduce the volume of AI-made media appearing in their timelines. This move comes as the service revealed that it currently hosts more than 1 billion AI videos.

Testing and Rollout

The new functionality is in a pilot phase over the coming weeks before a global launch. This development aligns with a increase in content created by AI, driven by new content generation software.

AI Content on Other Platforms

Studies have shown that nearly a tenth of the quickest rising channels on a competing service primarily display content made by AI. A large amount of this content is considered “AI slop”, a term for substandard, factory-style content that is often nonsensical or surreal.

Our research shows that a lot of users like content created using AI tools, ranging from AI artwork to science explainers, and we want to give people the ability to see more or less of that, based on their own preferences,” commented a spokesperson.

AI on the Platform

The platform disclosed that there are presently 1.3bn videos on its service tagged as made with AI. Collectively, in excess of 100 million media items are submitted to the platform daily, making AI content a limited portion of its total content library.

How to Adjust Settings

Viewers will be capable of reduce or increase the volume of AI-generated videos they watch by using the “manage topic” option in the platform and choosing AI-made media. Other topics that can already be modified under the filter cover news, clothing, beauty, and choreography.

Platform Guidelines

Its rules mandate creators to identify “realistic” AI-made content, and it bans dangerous deepfakes of celebrities or crisis events. Any believable AI-generated clip that is without a tag can be taken down under its user guidelines.

Furthermore, the service will from now on apply an AI-generated watermark to content produced via its built-in AI features, or identified by an industry-wide initiative for spotting content made by AI. This action is intended to stop users from attempting to evade the tagging system.

AI Literacy Programs

The company is also launching a $2 million awareness program for professionals and institutions to develop educational content about using AI responsibly. This project will benefit non-profit groups specializing in training coding and technology.

Content Safety Approach

TikTok has supported its content review process, following debate over intentions to make redundant hundreds of content moderators in Britain. It is planning to reduce 439 jobs in its trust and safety department in the UK capital, with trade unions and digital protection specialists raising concerns that people are being substituted by automated systems.

A trust and safety lead clarified that people-led review would remain essential, but artificial intelligence can safeguard staff by filtering out the most harmful content before it has to be seen by staff. TikTok stated a 76% decrease in disturbing and violent content reviewed by human moderators over the previous year due to reliance on its automated systems.

“We think that it’s essential to balance humans and technology to maintain a secure environment,” she said. “We’ll have humans as integral to the approach, but we additionally believe it’s highly necessary to reduce exposure to dangerous material as rapidly, which is where a significant AI assistance is proving valuable process content quickly.”